Kenya bag double gold at Africa School Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 21.12.24. | 16:22
Kenya’s other gold medal came from Gene Pence Barasa in the boys under-7 category
Kenya returned home with two gold medals as the Africa Schools Chess Championships came to an end on Friday in Accra, Ghana.
Annabel Makanga collected the first gold medal in the girls under-11 category after she finished the competition with an impressive seven points.
On her way to winning gold, Makanga who is from Nakuru beat Madiba Kimathi from Ghana, Zimbabwe’s Li Xing, fellow Kenyans Gene Pence, Nigel Ngige, Joseph Gacura and Alipo Namangale from Malawi.
Kenya’s other gold medal came from Gene Pence Barasa in the boys under-7 category.
Barasa from Mavens Chess Club and rated 1439 collected 4.5 points to emerge top in this category.
It was the first time that Barasa is taking part in the event and the results are sure to inspire him as he prepares for next year’s Intellect Academy Cup in Russia.
He is one of the five players who have been selected to represent Kenya in the event to be held from February 12-18.
Kenya also bagged a bronze medal through James Gacura who finished third in the boys under-11 category after collecting 5.5 points.
Gacura outdid himself in the six-day event considering that this was his first-ever international outing.
He finished behind Acheampong Nana Osei and Jeshurun Obiri both from Ghana who finished first and second respectively after they collected 7.5 points each.
Nigel Ngigi narrowly missed a podium finish after emerging in fourth place in the under-11 category.
In the under-17 category, Prudence Kimeli finished in fifth place after collecting 4.5 points.
It was the second international tournament for Kimeli who took part in the Africa Youth Championships held in South Africa in June.
The tournament had participants from five African countries Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Gambia. It was the first time it is being held after a three-year absence.
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Kenya will host next year’s event in Mombasa after hosting the 2021 championships.
