Dennis Abukuse on lessons learned from Paris Olympics and plans for HSBC SVNS Series
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 27.08.24. | 21:07
Despite his impressive performance in the circuit so far, Abukuse expressed hunger to reach new heights, emphasizing that there was still room for improvement
Menengai Oilers’ ace Dennis Abukuse has been in classy form since returning from the Paris 2024 Olympics. He was part of the Kenya Sevens team that finished ninth in the Olympics.
His impact on the team was felt immediately as he helped Oilers reach two finals; Dala and Kabeberi Sevens. Abukuse was also in the Morans team that travelled to Mauritius for the Africa Men’s Sevens tournament before joining Shujaa just in time for the Olympics.
He scored ten tries during the Dala 7s to be named in the impact team of the tournament with 57 impact points. His fine form continued during Kabeberi 7s when he scored nine tries. That performance elevated him to the impact player of the tournament.
Mozzart Sport caught up with him after the Kabeberi 7s and he opened up on the key lessons he learned during the Olympics and plans ahead of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series set to kick off in November.
“First, I am grateful to God for my talent and I am enjoying rugby. I love doing my best. I am coming off a period of injury and I have been trying to heal, and I have been growing through it,” he offered.
The former Bungoma High School alumnus further noted that despite playing only a single match in Paris, learning did not stop.
“You know some things in life only come once and I made sure to enjoy myself to the fullest. I learned several lessons like fighting to the last minute. If you just blink, the game goes. I feel like there is an energy I am bringing to the team,” he revealed.
Despite his impressive performance in the circuit so far, Abukuse expressed hunger to reach new heights, emphasizing that there was still room for improvement.
“I can say that I have still not done my best. I am still striving to reach that top level,” he disclosed.
World Rugby recently released the dates and venues for the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series, and Abukuse is keeping fingers crossed that he will be in the team as Kenya makes a grand return.
“My prayer is to be among the players that will play in the World Rugby Sevens Series. The second prayer is that we will work hard in each tournament and finish in the best position. We will seek as many points as possible in each tournament,” he averred.
We caught up shortly with his coach Gibson Weru who acknowledged the efforts made by his protégé so far. The tactician however noted that Abukuse was not at his best level yet, calling on him to sharpen various facets of his game.
“It is good to have a guy who is reliable to score in every game. That is the energy he brings. But I demand a lot from him which I feel he does not bring to the squad.
I judge them with the effort they put in when they do not have the ball. That is what wins you tournaments; not when you have the ball. Are you able to win a game without the ball? That is the big thing that I am always looking for,” Weru concluded.
The Oilers currently sit fourth on the log with 60 points after four legs of the circuit. They will be keen to amass maximum points to climb to the top of the table.
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