The Kasarani Stadium Arena burst into a flurry of color, speed, and excitement as more than two hundred young athletes competed in the highly anticipated one-day PIPSSA Kenya Age Group Skating Championship on Saturday 22nd March. The event, which featured over 500 entries, drew a vibrant mix of schools and clubs, each eager to showcase their young talents on wheels.
Among the standout performers was 11-year-old Ian Mark Mutua from Juja St. Peters School, who stole the show with a blistering 14.07-second finish in the 100-meter sprint skate, earning himself a well-deserved gold medal. Speaking after his victory, Ian beamed with pride, saying, “I gave it my all because I didn’t want my hard training to go to waste. I’m ready to push even harder for the next championships.”
In the girls’ category, 9-year-old Lola Chloe from Toto Safaris delivered an inspiring comeback, clinching gold in the 100-meter sprint with an impressive time of 15.47 seconds. Having just returned from a four-month injury layoff, Chloe credited her parents for their unwavering support and motivation throughout her recovery.
The event was not only a showcase of youthful prowess but also a celebration of community, teamwork, and resilience. Stanley Wanjiku, coach at Brookhurst International School, lauded the championship for providing a platform where young athletes can shine. “Our students trained tirelessly, and we are grateful to PIPSSA Kenya for this opportunity to expose our skaters to real competition,” he remarked.
The electric atmosphere was matched by a strong show of parental support. Immaculate Muthoni, a parent from St. George’s, Nakuru, expressed her excitement at the scale and spirit of the competition. “The turnout was amazing, and the races were tight. I encourage all parents to let their children explore their passions,” she said enthusiastically.
On the organizational front, Bilha Nju’nge, speaking on behalf of the event organizers, praised the participating schools and clubs for nurturing talent and confirmed the next major PIPSSA Kenya stop—the Kigali Mini Games scheduled for April 6–7 in Rwanda. “We’re proud of today’s success and look forward to even more thrilling performances in Rwanda and the games that would be staged include; swimming, soccer, skating, taekwondo, and archery, ,” she stated.
Competition in the medal tally was fierce, with schools and clubs battling it out for top honors. In the boys’ category, St. George Grassland from Nakuru emerged victorious, collecting nine medals—five golds and four silvers. Pioneer JSS followed closely with twelve medals, including four golds, while Juja St. Peters rounded off the top three with seven medals, four of which were gold.
In the girls’ division, Juja St. Peters dominated with eight medals—five golds, one silver, and one bronze—cementing their position as the day’s queens of the rink. Young Skaters took second place with six medals, and Deliverance Skating Team claimed third with three golds.
When all medals were tallied, Juja St. Peters stood tall atop the combined standings with an impressive haul of fifteen medals—nine golds, five silvers, and one bronze. Toto Skaters followed with a total of twenty-one medals (five golds, five silvers, eleven bronzes), while St. George Grassland secured third place with nine medals, including five golds.
As the sun set on an electrifying day of competition, it was clear that the future of skating in the region is gleaming with promise. With Kigali on the horizon, the wheels of talent continue to turn—and the race is far from over.
