Women’s wrestling: Why I ditched the pitch for the ring

How did your love affair with wrestling start?
I used to play football before taking up wrestling. I was a centre back. It was not easy for me to switch from football to wrestling, but I later adjusted. I left football because I felt I had a greater chance of excelling in wrestling than football. I was introduced to wrestling by coach Eric Walucho. He told me that I could do well in wrestling if I tried. I asked him, “…the wrestling we see on TV?” He said, no, but that he would take me to train one day.

The following week we went to the training ring where he taught me the rules and the game. That’s how I started.

What challenges have you faced in your journey to become a top wrestler?
Injuries. I get them often. And when you have an injury, you can't play. Additionally, wrestling is an expensive sport. You must train in a gym, which you must pay for. Also, we don’t have equipment like mats, so we mostly train on sand. You also have to eat a balanced diet. 

How many medals have you won so far?
Five, and I got them due to hard work. I want to achieve something big in the near future.

What valuable lesson have you learned from wrestling?
You must respect your elders, coaches, team manager and even other players at all times.

Who is your role model?
Fellow Kenyan wrestler Mathayo Mahabila. He is a very good wrestler. He has also trained me, and is very thorough. He doesn't care who his friend or enemy is when he is training. Outside the mat, he is very friendly. Former WWE star Alberto Del Rio from Mexico is also a person a look up to. I love his good wrestling skills.

How has wrestling helped you in life?
It has made me famous! When I'm upcountry, I train every day, so it is also a healthy lifestyle. I don't have time to go clubbing. It keeps me busy and away from social evils. Wrestling has also helped me pay my high school fees, as well as fees for my sisters and brother who are still in school. My mum is very grateful because I have also built a house for her. My mother was against me wrestling at first because she considered it dangerous, but now she is supportive because she sees that I have a passion for it, and that it is beneficial. 

Tell us about your diet as a top wrestler…
We do a lot of work in training and during competitions, so I must eat well. I take a heavy breakfast daily before leaving for training, then I always eat a balanced diet. On Fridays I do Bible study, then go to church on Saturday or Sunday.

Do you come from a family of wrestlers?
My younger brothers are into football, but they have started developing an interest in wrestling. Who knows, they might switch to wrestling in future.

How many countries have you visited because of wrestling? What lessons have you picked?
I have been to Tunisia, Serbia, Morocco, Ghana, and Turkey for competitions. One lesson I have learned from travelling is to be respectful. Any sports person must be humble and show respect. You also have to love the game and train hard. That's how you get better.

Is there a moment you consider your best?
My career highlight so far was when we went to Hammamet, Tunisia for the African Championships in 2023. I won a bronze medal. It was not easy to get the medal. I gave it my all. I played Tunisian Chaima Raouafi and defeated her 5-1 in the 50kg category. It felt nice to win my first medal on the African stage. It still is my only medal on the continental level.

Your worst moment?
Getting eliminated early in a competition, having trained for months for it. It was very painful.

Tell us about your most difficult match…
That was in Egypt when I lost 10-0 against Nourhene Hedhli from Tunisia in the Under-17, Under-20 and Seniors African Championships, and then 11-0 to Egyptian Medani Abdalla in the Senior African and Oceania Olympic Games Qualifier in the 50kg category. It was a difficult outing because when I went to play, I had lost a lot of weight and I was so weak. I was 56kg before the championship so I had to get down to 49kg. That was a difficult time for me so I did my best but I didn't manage to get any medal.

What is your big dream in wrestling?
I’d like to become a coach in future, so I am planning to do coaching courses. I’m also training hard to win gold at the Senior African Championships in Morocco later this year.

Your advice for someone who wants to take up wrestling?
You can’t wake up one day and become a wrestler. You have to learn the basics such as how to roll, how to attack, and how to land. Sports will change your life. There are many wrestling clubs. If you are interested, come and talk to us here at Watalam Wrestling Club. We will help you.

geoffanene@gmail.com