NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 – Kenya’s national women’s junior rugby sevens team, the Rising Lionesses, made history on Tuesday after clinching their maiden gold medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar with a dramatic 17-12 victory over rugby powerhouse Australia.
Michael Mmboga emerged as the match-winner, grounding the decisive sudden-death try to spark wild celebrations among the Kenyan players and their supporters.
The thrilling final had to be settled in sudden death after the Rising Lionesses produced a remarkable late comeback to force a draw in regulation time.
With Kenya trailing in the closing moments, Josephine Kerubo stepped up with a clever dummy to score a converted try at the final buzzer, taking the match into extra time.
Australia had taken an early lead immediately after kick-off, but co-captain Zain Hido responded for Kenya, swiftly collecting the ball from the restart to cross the try line and level the scores at the half-time buzzer.
The Australians appeared to have secured victory when they scored a converted try with two minutes remaining, putting themselves in a commanding position.
However, the determined Rising Lionesses refused to surrender, producing a spirited late response through Kerubo’s dramatic try to force sudden death before Mmboga delivered the decisive moment.
The triumph marks a significant milestone for Kenyan rugby, with the Rising Lionesses etching their names into history through a memorable performance on the Youth Olympic stage.
It was a sweet revenge after Australia had beaten Kenya 17-5 in the Pool fixtures.
En route to the final, the Rising Lionesses beat China 12-5, thrashed hosts 19-0, and recorded a 15-5 victory over Madagascar in the semi final.
The victory mean the Rising Lionesses became the first Kenyan team sport to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
