Kenya 7s placed in tough Pool B for Olympics.
Paris 2024 rugby sevens tournament runs from July 24-30.
Kenya faces Argentina, Australia, and Samoa in Pool B.
Shujaa aims for strong performance and Olympic impact.
The Kenya 7s national rugby men’s team, Shujaa, are set for an exciting and challenging journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Placed in Pool B, Shujaa will face tough competition from Argentina, Australia, and Samoa. As the tournament approaches, the team is gearing up for what promises to be a highly competitive and thrilling event.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
The Paris 2024 Olympics rugby sevens tournament, featuring 12 men’s teams, will take place from July 24-27, followed by the women’s competition from July 28-30. Notably, the rugby sevens matches will start two days before the official opening ceremony on July 26. The men’s preliminary and quarterfinal stages will set the pace, with medal matches following shortly after the opening festivities. The women’s tournament will conclude with the gold and bronze medal matches on July 30.
Pool Assignments and Competitors
The pool assignments for the men’s rugby sevens at Paris 2024 are as follows:
- Pool A: New Zealand (Top seeds), Ireland, South Africa, Japan
- Pool B: Argentina, Australia, Kenya 7s (Shujaa), Samoa
- Pool C: Fiji (2016 and 2020 champions), France (hosts), USA, Uruguay
Shujaa’s Road to Paris
Kenya’s journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to their resilience and skill. Hosts France, along with New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, and Australia, qualified by ranking in the top four of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023. The other teams secured their spots through regional qualifiers:
- Uruguay (South America)
- Ireland (Europe)
- USA (North America)
- Kenya (Africa)
- Samoa (Oceania)
- Japan (Asia)
- South Africa (Repechage)
Shujaa’s Preparation and Hopes
As they prepare for the games, the Shujaa team is aware of the formidable challenge ahead. Facing second-seeded Argentina, alongside strong teams from Australia and Samoa, will require peak performance and strategic play. Shujaa’s head coach has emphasized the importance of preparation and the team’s determination to make a significant impact in Paris.
Scrum half Samuel Asati shared his excitement and the significance of playing at the Olympics. “Participating in the Olympics is a dream come true for any athlete. It’s a chance to represent our country on the biggest stage and show the world what we can do,” Asati stated. The team is focused on fine-tuning their strategies and building on their strengths to face their Pool B competitors.
Women’s Competition
The women’s rugby sevens lineup for Paris 2024 includes top qualifiers from the 2023 World Series: New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and the USA, along with hosts France. Regional qualifiers are Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, Fiji, and Japan. The women’s competition promises to be equally thrilling, with reigning champions New Zealand and past winners Australia set to compete.
Olympic History
Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio 2016, followed by a successful run in Tokyo 2020. Fiji’s men have been dominant, winning gold in both previous Olympics, while New Zealand’s women are the reigning champions. The anticipation for Paris 2024 is high, especially following the excitement of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
