The Rise of Teen Sprinter Dennis Mwai: From Nyeri to the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30- Teenager Dennis Mwai Wangui will make his maiden Absa Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday (May 21).
And he is looking forward to running a breakthrough performance during the sixth leg of this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series.
The Kenyan has been bubbling under the surface on the domestic circuit since 2023.
And already, his immense talent has come to the attention of none other than local sprinting hero and African record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala.
“I am happy because of him. He has done the hard work. I have been there for moral support. Having the third-fastest time so far by a Kenyan this season he deserves the invite.
“It is good for him and his future. I’m excited that we are going to help him along the way,” the Commonwealth and African men’s 100m said of Mwai.
And he is familiar with the Ulinzi Sports Complex Stadium venue having finished just outside the podium in fourth during the sixth Athletic Kenya Track & Field Weekend Meeting/Relay Series on May 15.
Then, he ran a 20.70s personal best in the men’s 200m, a mark he is aiming to improve when he dons his spikes on Saturday.
To get to the starting line-up for Kip Keino Classic from humble beginnings has been a journey of quiet determination and unwavering resilience for Mwai.
Budding sprinter
The budding sprinter was born and raised in Nyeri, some 151km northeast of the capital Nairobi and attended Kiamurathe Primary School for his formative education.
But life took a different turn when he moved to the coastal city of Mombasa to continue his education at Fahari Primary School.
It was here that he was bitten by the athletics bug, competing in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprints at primary school competitions.
But just as his passion was taking off, the world was brought to a standstill by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Schools closed, competitions stopped, and for a while, it seemed like all his athletics dreams had paused.
In 2021, Mwai returned to Nyeri to begin his secondary school studies at St. Augustine Gikondi Boys in Mukurweini.
The lockdown had taken away a year of progress, but he stepped into high school with a renewed desire to prove himself. And he did.
It was in Form 2 (second year) that Mwai began to shine again.
He qualified for the national secondary school championships, a major milestone although he finished last in his final.
A year later, he returned to the secondary school nationals where he improved to bronze and was selected in Kenya's relay team for the East African FEASSSA Games.
And in his final year (Form 4) Mwai finally scaled to the middle step of the podium at the secondary school nationals when he won the gold.
Among the spectators watching that day was Vink Wachira, a scout representing Ferdinand Omanyala Foundation.
Elite level
After his race, he was recruited by the foundation that seeks to develop sprinting talent in Kenya.
As he prepared to join the foundation, Mwai was provided with a professional athletic kit, including Adidas running spikes, signalling the start of a new chapter.
While waiting for the official training program to begin, he was linked with Perpetual Mbutu, the head coach of Utawala Sports Club.
Recognizing his potential, she welcomed him into the club and began working closely with him.
Mbutu or Coach Perps, as she’s affectionately known, brought elite-level training and mentorship.
Under her guidance, Mwai was invited to participate in the National Relay Trials and he narrowly missed out on making Kenya’s team to the World Relays.
“Mwai has surprised all of us, and we are very happy for him. From instilling discipline to coaching him to this stage, I am very proud of him,” Mbutu said of her prodigy.
Mwai has continued enjoying steady progress under the coach and that growth earned him the coveted invitation to run at the Absa Kip Keino Classic--- Africa’s only Continental Tour Gold meeting.
“I want to see others grow. The most important thing is to keep the consistency, which I am confident he will get from his current coach, Perpetual Mbutu who just recently enhanced her coaching skills in Budapest.
"She will help him not to burn out. It’s better to run for more years than to run two years and be out,” two-time Kip Keino champion Omanyala, who will seek a third gold in the men’s 100m on Saturday said of Mwai.
From humble beginnings Mwai is now primed to make his big splash on the international stage.
With speed in his legs and fire in his heart, he’s not just running toward the finish line he’s running toward greatness.
-By Benson Kireru | Kenya Sports
-Photos: Peter Njoroge
