Kenya Sevens win bronze in Montevideo Challenger Series

Shujaa players and technical bench pose with their bronze medals.[Kenya Sevens]

Kenya Sevens clinched a hard-fought bronze medal at the Montevideo Challenger Series, showcasing their prowess in rugby sevens with a commanding 31-12 victory over Chile in the tournament's final clash at Estadio Charrúa, Uruguay.

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Shujaa demonstrated their dominance on the field, earning crucial points in the Challenger Series. The triumph propelled them to 16 points from the tournament, setting their overall tally at an impressive 36 points after the conclusion of two rounds.

Despite a setback in the semifinals against Hong Kong, where they faced a 21-14 defeat, Kenya rallied back with fervor, displaying exceptional teamwork and resilience against Chile, who themselves fell short in the semifinals against host Uruguay in a tight 10-5 encounter.

This victory served as a redemption of sorts for Kenya Sevens, who had previously clashed with Chile in the Challenger Series opener in Dubai. Back then, they emerged victorious with a 12-5 win in the final at the Sevens Stadium, with Patrick Odongo's outstanding performance, including two crucial tries, proving instrumental in their success, amassing a total of 11 tries throughout the tournament.

In the Montevideo showdown, the match was fiercely contested, with Kenya seizing the early lead through winger Lamec Ambetsa's try. Despite Chile's valiant efforts to level the scores, Kenya maintained their composure, extending their lead through captain Vincent Onyala and co-captain Tony Omondi's impressive tries, securing a commanding 19-5 lead by halftime.

The second half saw Kenya Sevens continue their onslaught, with John Okoth and substitute Benson Salem Adoyo adding to their tally, leaving Chile trailing behind. Despite a late try from Chile's Luca Strabucchi, it was too little, too late to overturn Kenya's commanding lead, as they sealed the victory with a final score of 31-12.

Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the upcoming tournaments in Madrid, where four men's and four women's teams will secure their spots to compete in the prestigious HSBC Sevens World Series 2025.

The Challenger Series, introduced in February 2020, continues to play a vital role in nurturing and promoting the growth of rugby sevens globally, providing a clear pathway for aspiring teams to elevate their game and compete at the highest level. With each tournament, teams like Kenya Sevens demonstrate their commitment to excellence, setting the stage for an electrifying season ahead in the world of rugby sevens.