Rwanda targets medals at African Cycling Championships
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Rwanda Dispatch
Rwanda is fielding 29 riders at the African Cycling Championships, held from 21 to 25 October in Kisumu, Kenya, and is targeting several medals. The competition has 282 participants from 33 countries across different categories, according to start lists and the Confederation of African Cycling; Akimana Donatha, 2025 junior time trial champion, leads Rwanda’s women’s team.
Rwanda is fielding 29 cyclists at the African Cycling Championships, being held in Kisumu, Kenya, from 21 to 25 October. The first events, the individual time trials, begin on 21 October, according to the Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy). National team coach Félix Ssempoma said the size of the team was intended to increase its chances of winning medals.
The competition brings together 282 riders entered in the time trials, mixed relay and road races across several age categories. The Confederation of African Cycling says 33 countries are represented. Rwanda wants to improve on its results from the previous edition, held in Kwale, Kenya.
Reigning junior time trial champion Akimana Donatha leads the women’s team, alongside Yvonne Masengesho, who won bronze last year. Moise Mugisha, third in 2025, leads the elite men’s team. Eritrean Merhawi Kudus is defending his title in that category, while South African Hayley Preen is defending her elite women’s crown.
The organisers have arranged for 20 health professionals, three ambulances, each with a doctor and an attendant, and three emergency doctors from Aga Khan Hospital as additional support. Water points will be set up along the route. The heat could affect the road races, particularly the 175.2-kilometre elite men’s race scheduled for the final day.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
