Omumasaba beat South Africa’s Machiel Johannes Grobler 3-0 in the silver medal match.
Kenya has clinched its second medal at the ongoing Africa Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, after wrestler Mark Omumasaba won silver in the men’s 90kg category on Wednesday, June 28.
Omumasaba beat South Africa’s Machiel Johannes Grobler 3-0 in the silver medal match. He was delighted to finally achieve a podium finish having been in Tunisia last month during the African Championships and losing to the same opponent.
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The East Africans sailed through to the global event after they were handed a walkover following a no show from their only opponents Cape Verde.
“I really feel delighted. I have grown in the game from my first bout in the morning. I was calmer when I approached this game and I am happy to have won my first-ever medal in these games.
"It was a really tough match because my opponent knew what he was doing and is a good wrestler. But I was pushed by my coaches and teammates to ensure I won a medal and I want to thank them,” Omumasaba said in a post-match interview.
His coach Linus Masheti was also delighted with his wrestler's performance, “We are now looking forward to the World Championships in Bali because he has qualified. We prepared well and we did a good job today to win this medal.”
Leading by two points, Omumasaba thought he had lost the bout when Grobler seemingly scored a tush by landing the Kenyan shoulders down on his back.
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The East Africans run hosts Tunisia close in the final before losing out on shootouts as their male counterparts finished fifth.
As such, he would have scored three points and closed down the bout, but Omumasaba was encouraged by his coaching team to challenge the score on Video Review. Upon a second look, the referee upheld the Kenyan’s appeal, and the tush canceled, to turn back the bout.
Encouraged by the decision, the Kenyan pulled in all his energy, his shoulder tactic carrying him through as he managed to push the South African outside the circle.
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The men’s team finished fifth overall after a straight-sets win over Mali and despite that, Nyongesa is proud of the improvement the team has made.
Omumasaba dropped to the silver medal match after losing to Senegalese Siny Sembene by a quick tush, the West African going on to win gold in the division.
He had been given a bye in the first round and in the second, edged out homeboy Sabri Mnasria 3-1. Kenya’s first medal at the games was from the women’s handball team, which also won silver.