Experienced pairs carry the day as beach volleyball action conclude

Kenyan international duo of Ibrahim Oduor and partner James Mwaniki made their debut in this season's FIVB homologated beach volleyball circuit count, winning the men's title. 

The event, held in Mombasa had attracted a record 21 pairs in the men's category. Oduor, who had missed the season-opening Homabay and Makueni legs due to personal commitments led his partner to victory. 

Their experience in beach volleyball came in handy, beating all and sundry despite Mwaniki having picked a shoulder injury in their pre-quarters clash against Trailblazers duo of James Mutero and Nimrod Kamadi. 

"My shoulder has had a problem for a while but during that match I made a move that aggravated the issue," explained Mwaniki who had to take a five minutes first aid break. "I made a mental note not to think of it as a dire injury as that would have mentally affected my game. We got back to the court and won the match which was good motivation to continue." 

In the quarters, the duo who have played together for six years faced Makueni silver medalist Elphas Makuto and his partner Jairus Kipkosgei winning the match to book a semis slot against the second leg champions David Neeke and Juliard Mbappe. 

Experience was again at play as Oduor dug deep to protect his partner who had become a target of opposition attacks to seal a final berth where they played General Service Unit (GSU) pair of Cornelius Kiplagat and Nicholas Lagat for victory. 

"I am happy for the win. We had the option of giving up when my partner got injured early on in the matches and forfeit the remaining matches but he chose to fight on and look how far we have come. We trusted each other to fight until we could not any more and we are elated for the points picked," said Oduor. 

Meanwhile, Olympians Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala had their day to shine and exert their revenge, having lost the Makueni leg to Naomi Too and Veronica Adhiambo. 

The two faced a resilient duo of Phoscah Kasisi and Yvonne Wavinya in the final who wouldn't give up without a fight. Makokha and partner won the first set 21- 18 but the opposition level the sets with a 17-21 win of their own to sent the match into a decider set three that was won in 15-10. 

Too and partner finished in third place.