Alexandra Ndolo: Fencing for Kenya’s Future
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Alexandra Ndolo, a 36-year-old fencer, won silver for Germany at the World Championships in 2022. However, she has decided to compete for Kenya, the country of her father, and has big plans. Ndolo has helped set up the Kenyan Fencing Federation several years ago, and since then, she has been back and forth to Kenya to grow the sport by bringing fencing equipment gathered from donations in Germany.
Ndolo’s work has paid off, as the first fencing schools have opened in Nairobi and some athletes have received scholarships to do coaching courses in South Africa. Since 2020, Kenya has been an official member association of the World Fencing Federation (FIE) and was represented for the first time at the 2022 World Championships in Cairo by Isaac Wanyoike.
Ndolo’s switch from competing for Germany to Kenya has not only had an emotional effect but financial consequences as well. She had joined the armed forces in Germany and received financial backing through the Bundeswehr’s sports development program. Now, she has to finance her trips to World Cups and other expenses herself.
Despite the financial risks, Ndolo is predominantly driven by her goal of strengthening grassroots fencing in Kenya. She wants to create a system that enables them to work with children and support them. From a sporting point of view, Ndolo wants to secure qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Having not made it for Germany, she’s hoping to succeed for Kenya.
Disclaimer: Re-reported from the story originally published by DW (English)
