Samson Opiyo Ojuka

Samson Opiyo Ojuka is a Kenyna paralympic champion who despite being differently abled differently, defied all the odds to excel at top sports levels. 

In July, Opiyo made history by representing Kenya and winning the country’s sole medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

In September this year, he was honoured as the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) for September 2024.

Ojuka, a law student at Kenyatta University, earned a silver medal in the men’s long jump T37 category, saving Kenya from the embarrassment of almost finishing the prestigious quadrennial event without a medal.

His silver-winning jump of 6.20 metres, achieved on September 3 at the Stade de France, set a new African record. Ojuka’s jump broke the previous African record of 6.05 metres, held by South Africa’s Andrea Dalle Ave since 2015.

Ojuka’s accomplishment marked a historic milestone, as he became the first Kenyan to win a medal in the long jump at both the Paralympic and Olympic levels. Furthermore, he became the first Kenyan to medal in Paralympic field events since Mary Nakhumicha’s silver in the javelin at the 2008 Beijing Games.

On his educational journey, Ojuka attended Maseno High School, where he initially pursued both football and athletics. However, after joining Kenyatta University in 2018, he shifted his focus solely to athletics.