Key Highlights
- Yafunga Botay has been selected to represent and compete at the Dakar 2026 games, with judo events scheduled to take place from 1-3 November.
- Coached by his father, Arnold, the young judoka maintains a disciplined regimen supported by his 17-year-old brother and sparring partner, Christian.
- Lawrence Karisa Nyundo, owner of the Nairobi dojo where Botay has trained since 2020, reports a surge in community interest and parental enrollment following Botay’s international selection.
A Family Bond Built on Discipline and the Mat
For Yafunga Botay, judo is far more than a competitive pursuit—it is the foundational pillar of his family’s daily life. Coached directly by his father, Arnold, the young athlete undergoes rigorous training to stay sharp and maintain weight categories, regularly supported by his 17-year-old brother, Christian, who steps onto the tatami as his sparring partner. The household operates under a clear framework of commitment, with the teenager describing his father as “strict” even in their home life, driven by an unyielding dedication to discipline.
Arnold emphasizes that the benefits of the sport extend well beyond athletic success into personal development and core character building. Maintaining his weight is not easy. He [Arno] has to keep training consistently,
Arnold said. Judo teaches him respect and helps him interact with others, whether at school or at home.
He added: Those lessons follow him everywhere. In judo, every time you fall you gain the strength to keep going.
Transforming Community Perceptions in Nairobi
Since 2020, Botay has honed his skills at a local dojo in the Kenyan capital, where his recent selection for Dakar 2026 is driving a profound shift in local attitudes toward martial arts. Lawrence Karisa Nyundo, the owner of the training facility, highlighted how Botay’s success is actively dismantling misconceptions surrounding combat sports.
Nyundo noted that Botay’s milestone has changed perceptions
of judo across the community. It is helping parents understand that judo is not just a fighting sport – it has real value,
Lawrence Karisa Nyundo told the BBC. I have received calls from parents who want to enrol their children.
Celebrating the gym’s international recognition, Nyundo stated, It is a big achievement for this club that one of our athletes is going to compete at the Olympics. We are praying that he performs well.
Vision for the Kakuma Refugee Community
Beyond his immediate tournament ambitions, Botay remains focused on creating pathways for other displaced athletes. Recognizing the talent existing in refugee settlements, he aspires to pay forward the opportunities he has received by coaching and mentoring peers after his campaign in Senegal.
Looking toward the future, Botay envisions returning to share his knowledge with aspiring competitors: In Kakuma, there are good judokas.
He explained, I think if I achieve [a] gold medal, I can go there and teach them the value of judo.
Why This Matters
Botay’s participation in Dakar 2026 highlights the growing impact of sports programs in refugee communities and grassroots training centers across East Africa. By turning international tournament qualifications into community interest, his trajectory demonstrates how athletic opportunities can challenge local stigmas around martial arts and inspire broader youth participation. Competition at Dakar 2026 officially begins on Friday, followed by the opening ceremony a day later, with judo matches taking place across three consecutive days from 1-3 November.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the judo competitions take place at Dakar 2026?
The overall Dakar 2026 competition begins on Friday, followed by the opening ceremony the next day. The specific judo events are scheduled to run from 1-3 November.
Who trains Yafunga Botay?
Botay is coached by his father, Arnold, and trains at a Nairobi dojo owned by Lawrence Karisa Nyundo, where he has practiced since 2020. His 17-year-old brother, Christian, occasionally serves as his sparring partner.
What are Yafunga Botay’s post-competition goals?
Botay intends to leverage his international experience to benefit other refugees. Specifically, he hopes that winning a gold medal will enable him to teach the value of judo to talented judokas located in Kakuma.
