Kenyans have come together to celebrate tennis player Angela Okutoyi after winning the junior Wimbledon Grand slam.
The 18-year-old rising stat and her partner, Dutch player Rose Marie Njikamp beat Canadian pair Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko by 2 sets to one to emerge victorious at Wimbledon.
Okutoyi made history after becoming the first Kenyan player to reach Wimbledon final after defeating Lucija Ciric Bagaric and Nikola Daubnerova in straight sets.
In her speech after reaching the finals, the teen player attributed their success to team work and joint efforts, further heaping praises at her partner.
“The match was interesting but not easy at all. However, my partner and I really fought through it. We were losing it but we kept calm and strong and that’s how we got the win
“She’s good. I mean we have a good connection when we’re playing and I like that we bond so well and play quite good together,” Okutoyi said.
In an interview with BBC Sport Africa, Okutoyi celebrated her win which and being the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam.
“It’s great for me to be the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam and to reach a final in a Grand Slam
“It doesn’t matter the background you come from or where you’ve been, it’s just the belief and the dream that you can achieve it. Now I believe that we’ll have more Kenyans here for sure,” she said.
Okutoyi also disclosed that she and her sister were raised by their grandmother following their mother’s death, further dedicating her win to her late mother.
“She will be over the moon, she will be so happy for sure,” she noted.
Okutoyi has been celebrated by many including President Uhuru Kenyatta who termed her victory a momentous achievement that will lift Kenya’s tennis profile internationally and inspire the next generation of tennis players.
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Below are other reactions following the win.
Congrats Angela Okutoyi on your win. It has always been my ambition to see a young Kenyan playing Wimbledon. Winning Junior Wimbledon is the equivalent to winning Junior World Cup in Soccer. Compliments to TKA for supporting her. Proud of you Angie! pic.twitter.com/jMIm8DA1DY
— Suleiman Shahbal (@SuleimanShahbal) July 9, 2022
Angela Okutoyi is Wimbledon Junior Girls Doubles Champion!! Angie you are the real deal!! We’re extremely proud of this historic achievement. @Okutoyiangella2 @tennis_kenya @MEsipisu #Wimbledon #AngelaOkutoyi 🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/CCIOFMBrsx
— Prof. Judi Wakhungu EGH (@JudiWakhungu) July 9, 2022
Well in to our tennis Super Girl, ANGELA OKUTOYI, on becoming the first Kenyan to be win a Grand Slam. Okutoyi partnered with Rose Marie Nijkamp of Dutch, to win the Girls' Double finals in Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/DsZKReNgbM
— Peter Koima™ (@LilKoima) July 9, 2022
Congratulations Angela Okutoyi for breaking the glass ceiling!
1st Kenyan to win a Wimbledon championship. pic.twitter.com/HSqgJrowe7— Awonda Samuel Estika (@AwondaEstika) July 9, 2022
Just when you thought you'd seen it all about Kenyan athletes, Angela Okutoyi arrives at the Grandslam stage in a grand way.
Hongera Okutoyi.@OlympicsKe @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/KL1IevhWTv
— Simon Chebon (@Schebon) July 9, 2022
Congratulations to Angela Okutoyi on reaching the Wimbledon Final.
Representating and flying the colors of our country high up 🇰🇪🇰🇪
— Hon David Mwangi (@DavidMw99611236) July 9, 2022
Stand up !!! Stand up…for the Champion!!!
Congratulations @Okutoyiangella2 you've gone on and done it!!! Wimbledon champion!!
Angela Okutoyi and Rose Marie Nijkamp won girls doubles title after winning 3-6,6-4,11-9
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ldHfNUcJQg— James Wokabi (@JWokabi) July 9, 2022
Its good to see patriotic youth put Kenya on global map & fly our flag with pride.
Tennis starlet #AngelaOkutoyi's #Wimbledon win is testament youth once given opportunity can achieve their dreams.Her humble background including being orphaned at tender age didn't dim her dream. pic.twitter.com/L5f0wJGDb0— Counter Terrorism Policing KE🇰🇪 (@CTP_Kenya) July 10, 2022
This is wonderful. Angela OKUTOYI is the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam. #Wimbledon A huge congratulations 👏 pic.twitter.com/vz8U0coZ6g
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) July 10, 2022
Keep your focus at whatever you are good at!
You see that girl Angela Okutoyi, i always knew she had potential. She is now the first Kenyan to win a Wimbledon title.— Elee Global 🇰🇪 (@Elee_Global) July 9, 2022
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