Success on the field by Kenyan sports personalities has not always been synonymous with academic success.
A number of sports personalities have, however, broken barriers to excel in class as well. Teamkenya.co.ke takes a look at some of these personalities.
Michael (Mike) Kipsugut Boit
The former professional middle-distance athlete is a professor at the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at the Kenyatta University.
His areas of focus include Curriculum Development, Sports Nutrition, Human Anatomy, Sports Sociology and Psychology, Exercise Physiology and Physical Fitness, among others.
He is the first Kenyan athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. He broke the African 800 metres record in 1976, and was also named the Sports Man of the Year in 1981. He also broke the World Record in 880 yards, in 1980 at a meet in San Diego, California.
Also Read: List of Records Ferdinand Omanyala Has Broken So Far
Peter Waweru Kamaku
The renowned football center referee holds a Ph.D in Pure Mathematics, a Masters in Pure Mathematics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
Kamaku has officiated in top competitions in Africa, among them the 2019 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) finals, the 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and most recently, the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
He also served in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth at the 2021 AFCON.
Michael “Tank” Otieno
Tank holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical Education and Sports from the University of Nairobi. He also pursued Mathematics and Physical Education at the Kenyatta University.
He played rugby for the national team and has also coached the Kenya 7’s and Kenya 15’s national teams. In addition, he won the Kenya Cup three times with KCB Rugby Club as the coach.
Tank is a certified World Rugby trainer.
Also Read: How Much Top Football Clubs Make From Shirt Sponsorships
Dorcas Mwigereri
The former volleyball player holds a Ph.D in Information Technology from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Master’s Degree in the same field from the Masinde Muliro University.
Mwigereri played volleyball professionally from the now defunct Nyeri Stima.
Eliud Kipchoge
Kipchoge was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Science by the Laikipia University during its seventh graduation ceremony in July 2020.
The conferment was in recognition for his commitment in the field of sports and being a marathon record holder.
Also Read: Five Times Gor Mahia Matches Turned Chaotic