Kenya Sevens: Shujaa Triumphs in Dubai Sevens Challenger Series

• Kenya Sevens are the Dubai Challenger Series champions
• Patrick Odongo scored two vital tries to secure the title for Shujaa
• The team will now aim to qualify for the World Sevens Rugby Series

Kenya Sevens are the champions of the Dubai Leg of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

Shujaa's triumph was courtesy of the impressive performance of one rising star Patrick Odongo, who scored two crucial tries to lead the team to a 12-7 victory over a resilient Chile side in the final.

Odongo wasted no time making an impact, breaking through the right wing to score a try in the first minute.

Anthony Omondi successfully converted his kick, giving Shujaa an early 7-0 lead.

Despite mishandling and knocks allowing the South Americans to narrow the gap to 7-5 at halftime, Odongo's exceptional skills proved vital for the team.

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He took control in the second half by scoring another try to extend Kenya's lead to 12-7, despite a missed conversion, as reported by The Standard.

Shujaa successfully defended their one-possession lead, securing the championship title.

The Kenyans displayed dominance in the semifinals by defeating Uruguay 21-5. Odongo stole the spotlight with a hat trick, propelling the team to victory. (21-5).

Using the South Americans' temporary numerical disadvantage, John Okoth setup Odongo to secure his third try.

Kenya's stellar performance ensured victory and a spot in the top four teams moving to the next stage of the Challenger Series.

China won the women's title.

The Challenger Series comprises three legs in Dubai, UAE, Montevideo, Uruguay, on March 8-10, and Munich, Germany on May 18-19, 2024. The top four teams will face off against the bottom four after the 2023/24 World Series.

Introduced in February 2020, the Challenger Series serves as a crucial pathway for teams to ascend to the pinnacle of global rugby sevens, fostering growth in the short format of the game, reports the HSBC.

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Its inclusion as an Olympic sport in the Rio 2016 Games has significantly contributed to its expansion.

Kenya Rugby Fraternity mourns Adul

Sports Brief on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, reported the passing of ex-Kenya rugby international George Obonyo Adul, who died in Mombasa.

Adul played a significant role in the 1990 Kenya Cup-winning Mean Machine squad.

He also contributed to Mombasa RFC's 1997 Enterprise Cup victory.