Koitatoi Kidali lands full athletics scholarship from US University

Budding Kenyan Olympian Koitatoi Kidali is still counting his blessings after landing a full athletics scholarship at the prestigious Oregon University in the United States.

This milestone comes hot on the heels of a fulfilling 2024 that saw him fly the country’s flag high on the global stage severally.

His most recent milestone was representing Kenya in the 800m of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite being eliminated in the repechage, his performance did not go unnoticed.

In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, his coach Nakeel Sylvester was glad that their hard work was finally paying off. He further praised his protégé for his unwavering commitment and resilience, noting that he is inspiring the next generation of athletes.

“It is a fulfilment. I am happy that his hard work is finally paying off. He is a committed young man who puts his mind to something and does it very well.

This means a lot to me, his family, and the entire Maasai community. He is showing us that everything is possible. This achievement is heartwarming not only for his fans but also for the friends and family who know his challenging background,” he offered.

This achievement is especially poignant given Kidali's tough roots. He lost his father in December 2022 and became the family's breadwinner at just 21. He is the firstborn in a family of six (three boys and three girls).

Despite these hardships, Kidali has risen above his circumstances with remarkable resilience and determination, earning the opportunity to represent his country on the world's biggest stage.

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“I lost my dad just when I was beginning to etch my name in Kenyan athletics. I was devastated. I had to step up as the man of the house. It was quite difficult because I did not have a job, all I had to rely on was athletics,” Kidali told Mozzart Sport in a previous interview.

Kidali’s roots

The youngster was born in 2003 in Namanga, Kajiado County. His athletics career began when he was a pupil at Engaboli Primary School in Maili Tisa, Kajiado South. His talent was evident at a young age as he easily won most of the events.

After primary school, he joined Natatai Secondary School, where his prowess on the track continued. During his time at the school, he would train with the school’s football team as a winger, making him even more athletic.

Following his high school education, the youngster met his coach Nakeel Sylvester who encouraged him to venture into middle-distance running. Through coach Nakeel, Kidali got an opportunity to train at Ngong Hills where he further honed his skills.

“My coach advised me to switch to 800m because I had the talent and speed for it. All I needed to build on was my endurance,” he noted.

His hard work started paying off when he competed in his first major race during the World U20 Trials in 2022, where he placed second in a time of 1:46.32 but failed to make the team to Cali, Columbia.

That however, did not demotivate him as he would later compete in the fifth edition of the Memorial Wieslawa Maniaka in Poland on August 24, 2022, where he finished third in a time of 1:45.24.

He then competed in the Hungarian GP Series, Budapest, on September 2, 2022, coming in second in a time of 1:46.45. It was after that milestone that he tragically lost his father Kidali Linkioko in December 2022.

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This year, Kidali has featured at the Spanish meeting Jaen Paraiso, clocking 1:45.78 for second place behind Netherlands Ryan Clarke (1:45.74).

He won bronze at the Anhalt meet in Germany, clocking 1:47.16 behind Kethobogile Haingura of Botswana (1:47.09) and South Africa’s Edmund Plessis (1:46.71).