Triathlete Robert Froggen-Richard is targeting a top-10 finish at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The 17-year-old described his selection as a dream come true and a reward following months of hard work alongside his coaches and family.
“I am very honoured to have been chosen to represent Kenya. I have been working hard with my coaches and my family. It has been a tough journey, but I am very grateful to be the one representing the country,” said Robert.
He said becoming Kenya’s first youth Olympian in triathlon is a significant milestone, with preparations focused on adapting to Dakar’s expected hot conditions.
“We know the conditions in Dakar will be very hot, but we have been doing a lot of heat training to prepare,” he said.
Richard began training in triathlon with his mother at around 11 years old before competing in his first event in Kilifi in 2024, an experience that sparked his passion for the sport.
Despite the tough competition expected at the Games, he remains confident of making an impact by finishing in the top 10 as he builds towards future competitions.
“I am hoping for a top-10 finish, then I will build on that as I prepare for the next competition,” he said.
“My goal is to complete a full triathlon in under 58 minutes. My current personal best is 59:46, which I achieved two weeks ago. I am looking forward to breaking the 58-minute barrier.”
However, Richard identified the lack of suitable training facilities and the high cost of the sport as major challenges facing triathlon in Kenya, noting that Mombasa currently has no track.
His coach, Mansour Abdalla, expressed delight at Robert’s selection, describing it as a major milestone for both the athlete and the team.
Abdalla said swimming has been a key focus in their preparations, as Robert previously struggled to keep pace with leading competitors.
“He was lagging behind a bit in swimming during competitions. He has been working hard to catch up with the leading group to ensure he is within touching distance by the time they start cycling,” he said.
They even enlisted the help of one of Kenya’s top swimmers, Iqbal Yusuf, to help improve Robert’s performance in the water.
He noted that Robert’s cycling and running times were already competitive, while his discipline and commitment had made preparations easier.
“When you have an athlete who is committed to the process, coaching becomes easier. When you set the training sessions, he is always there, ready to work and willing to put in the effort,” Abdalla said.
He expressed confidence in Robert’s readiness, saying the coaching team had worked tirelessly to prepare him for the international stage.
“The Youth Olympic Games are a very big stage for him, and we are doing our best as coaches to push him so that he can perform exceptionally well,” he concluded.
