Starting from an orphanage to winning gold for Kenya to becoming the new All-African Games Champion at tennis. What an extraordinary journey this has been for the 20YO Kenyan tennis sensation, Angella Okutoyi. Her recent triumph helped Kenya earn their sixth gold at the Quadrennial event in Accra, Ghana. But did you know Okutoyi’s incredible journey has been heavily inspired by the path shown by the American tennis legend, Serena Williams? 

Angella Okutoyi has often expressed her admiration for Serena Williams, terming her a source of inspiration. She said Williams’ fighting spirit is a quality that she believes she has in her game as well. Here’s what she had said previously on Olympics.com.

‘I’m a fighter on court’ – Angella Okutoyi relates her game to Serena Williams’ playing style

During the conversation, Okutoyi spoke about Serena Williams and added, “I believe my game style is like hers, an aggressive baseliner. And she’s a fighter, and I’m a fighter on court. And I have the willingness to do more, and I believe she does. She inspires me a lot.” Well, there is a big list of her achievements, and here are some of them.

With this victory in Accra, she has moved a step closer to the Paris Olympics. She has also become the first Kenyan woman to win this prestigious title in nearly 46 years, since Jane Davies-Doxzon‘s heroics in 1978. She’s currently placed at the 532nd spot in the women’s singles ranking. And if she gets into the Top 400 by June 10, she’ll be able to directly qualify for the Olympics.

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Talking about the Olympics, she had once said that she didn’t watch the Olympics until when she was in the U-14 team playing a qualifier. But after that, she realized it was a big tournament quite similar to the Grand Slam events. Since then, her dream has always been to represent her nation at the Olympics. Here’s what she said after her recent triumph. 

She thanked her family, team, fans, and friends after her emphatic victory and added, “This just means so much to me a childhood dream coming to light participating at the Olympics. Hope this gives someone watching a belief that anything is possible.“

Talking about inspiration, she made history when she won the U14 African Championships and became the youngest winner of the Kenya Open singles title in 2018. Angella Okutoyi became the first Black African to win a junior Grand Slam title at the doubles event in 2022 Wimbledon.

American Legend Serena Williams’ ‘Fighter’ Spirit Crosses Borders as Kenyan Tennis Wonder Kid Makes Gripping Admission

That’s not all! In the same year, she became the first Kenyan to win a girl’s singles Grand Slam match at the 2022 AO. However, the journey was full of adversities, but she successfully overcame all of them with her hunger and desire to be a top tennis player.

‘My life growing up wasn’t easy’ – Okutoyi

Angella Okutoyi and her twin sister Roselida Asumwa were placed in an orphanage after their mother tragically died during childbirth. But after a few days, they moved to their maternal grandmother’s house, who worked as a cleaner at a convent in Nairobi. Explaining those moments to Olympics.com, Angella Okutoyi stated, “Growing up, I remember there were times we didn’t eat. And the only meal would be just a cup of water and we would survive. That’s why I’m fearless, and I am strong.“

She further added, “My life growing up wasn’t easy. I remember our family we had no money, just my grandmother who was a widower, taking care of five kids.” At the convent where they used to live, there was a school with tennis courts where the two 4YO girls would spend most of their time.

They used to play the sport with some of their family members. This is how their journey started. Share your thoughts on Angella Okutoyi’s incredible story.

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