On Monday July 26 at 5am, history will be made as Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcedes Agala take on Patricia and Anne Rebecca in their first match of the Tokyo 2020 Beach Volleyball.
The match will be of high significance as it is the first time Kenya will be taking part in the discipline.
Heat and sun is what the Kenyans are experiencing in Tokyo but they know that they have to adapt quickly to the conditions if they are to make a mark in the Summer Games that start officially on July 23.
“The heat is just too much. The sun is just too hot. But then, this is the situation we find ourselves in and therefore, we just have to adapt. This is the kind of weather for beach volleyball so we have to adapt quickly and move on,” said the experienced Agala.
“We have to drink lots of water because the more you sweat there the more you lose fluids in your body. So you have to compensate for the loss of fluids to prevent dehydration.”
Transition from Malkia Strikers has not been easy for the dynamic duo but basic knowledge has helped them learn their new trade quickly.
“Volleyball is just volleyball. There are a few things that differ; like the rules. But when you have the basics of indoor volleyball it shouldn’t be hard for you to play beach volleyball. The difference is that in beach volleyball you are only two players while in indoor volleyball the players are six,” Agala added.
“One side of the beach volleyball court is 8m by 8m while for indoor volleyball it is 9m by 9m.So you really have to coordinate with your team mate. When one of you is on the blocks the other is at the back covering.
The African champions earned a late ticket to the Olympics, beating Nigeria’s pair of Amarchi Uchechukwu and Francisca Ikhiede 2-1 (17-21, 21-18, 15- 10) in the final.
Agala’s teammate Makokha is also hoping that the humidity in Tokyo doesn’t affect them as they prepare to take on a much fancied Brazil duo.
“This was our training because of the delay at the airport when we arrived on Sunday night.
We have had two sessions, but the humidity here is so crazy. We are trying to adjust. The first session was not that good, but the second one was better. “
“The most important thing is sleeping early and drinking water. Because with this heat, if you don’t drink a lot of water then you will have a hard time during the championship or during the training. So you have to take care of your body. Sleep early, drink a lot of water and rest. That is the secret.”