Home Chess News 2024 African Youth Chess Championship – Kenya grabs two medals

2024 African Youth Chess Championship – Kenya grabs two medals

July 7, 2024

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2024 African Youth Chess Championship – Kenya grabs two medals

The 2024 African Youth Chess Championship has ended, with Kenya winning a gold and a silver medal out of 36 medals available.

Jadon Simiyu (Boys’ U12) won the gold, while Nathaniel Manyeki (Boys’ U10) took the silver.

Jadon Simiyu, a student at Kabarak High School in Nakuru, is the reigning Kenya National Champion (Boys U12).

Nathaniel Manyeki, the 2023 Africa Youth Champion U8, made an unexpected comeback after missing round one due to sickness, a feat that left everyone amazed. He is the Kenya National Champion (Boys U10) and a student at Brookside Preparatory School.

Jadon Simiyu (left) & Nathaniel Manyeki. 2024 African Youth Chess Championship — Jadon Simiyu (left) & Nathaniel Manyeki

It’s important to acknowledge the efforts of those who narrowly missed medals on the tie-break by finishing 4th, including Riley Matingi, Winnie Kaburo, Kuka Risiki, Elizabeth Cassidy, Andy Zane Wright, Aliyah Jasmine Mackenzie, and Naomi Wamwenje.

Kenya had a contingent of 90 players in the Championship in the 12 age and gender categories. The Championship ran from June 15th to 23rd, 2024, at the plush Kopanong Hotel and Convention Centre. 16 African countries took part, and Kenya finished fourth in the overall medal standings.

As part of the preparation, team Kenya arrived four days before the event to attend a residential camp with IM Johannes Mabusela of South Africa.

Team Uganda

Uganda was well represented in the event with a squad of 19 players, with WCM Sana Omprakash Kayyar as their top player in the Girls U18.

WCM Sana Omprakash Kayyar missed a bronze medal by a whisker by coming out 4th with 6.5 points in the Girls U18. On the other hand, Talia Atubet gave her country something to smile about with a well-deserved bronze medal in the Girls U10 with 6.5 points.