It was double gold for Rwanda’s Akimana Donatha and Ethiopia’s Legese Selemon Gebreselasie at the 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone Five Youth Games after both cyclists added the road race titles to their Individual Time Trial (ITT) victories on Thursday.
After winning the ITT on Wednesday, Donatha and Selemon once again dominated the challenging Old Thika Road loop between Delview Junction and Makenji to claim the women’s and men’s road cycling crowns respectively.
Donatha won the women’s 60km race in 1:52:05, while Kenya’s Mercy Aregae improved on her bronze medal from Wednesday to take silver in 1:52:57. Ethiopia’s Mahder Desta Niguse settled for bronze in 1:55:38.
Niguse had been in contention for the gold medal alongside Donatha and Aregae before suffering mechanical problems with her bicycle. By the time she changed bikes, she had fallen five kilometres behind the leading pair.
“Winning double gold was a good thing for me as part of my preparations for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. I also did well because of the government support for sports and for giving young people a chance to showcase their talents,” said Donatha.
The riders competed on a 10km course, with the women completing six laps for the 60km race while the men covered eight laps for the 80km event.
Aregae, an Africa School Games bronze medallist and Grade 10 student at Tendwa Girls in Uasin Gishu County, attributed her improved performance to the confidence she gained from Wednesday’s ITT.
“Today I really wanted to ensure that I improved, as I had promised. So I did exactly that,” said Aregae.
Selemon also completed his double gold by winning the men’s 80km road race in 2:16:31. Rwanda’s Shema Emmanuel finished second in 2:16:34, improving on his ITT bronze medal, while Kenya’s Victor Ngugi Githae claimed bronze in 2:16:33 after finishing sixth and last in Wednesday’s time trial.
With two gold medals in the bag, Selemon is now looking ahead to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and other major international competitions.
“Winning double gold was not easy, but I was determined and the endurance paid off. This is a good call for me ahead of major events across the world,” said Selemon.
Ngugi remained optimistic despite his difficult start to the competition, saying the bronze medal had given him confidence as he begins his journey in the sport.
“I did not expect such results, especially a medal after coming last yesterday,” said Ngugi.
All results
60km women
- Akimana Donatha (RWA) 1:52:05
- Mercy Eragae (KEN) 1:52:57
- Mahder Desta Niguse (ETH) 1:55:38
- Jacinta Namubiru (UGA) 2:00:35
80km men
- Legese Selemon Gebreslesie (ETH) 2:16:31
- Shema Emmanuel (RWA) 2:16:34
- Victor Ngugi Githae (KEN) 2:16:33
- Frankline Kibet (KEN) 2:16:35
- Geoffrey Chege Mburu (KEN) 2:16:39
- Mevin Njuguna (KEN) 2:17:00