From overcoming a career-threatening injury while playing rugby to become one of the best sprinters in Kenya, Tyson Juma is a true definition of resilience.
It has evidently not been a walk in the park for Juma (100m athlete) since he switched from rugby to athletics way back in 2021. February 13, 2021, is a day he will never forget in his life as it had some mixed fortunes.
While Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) RFC managed to qualify for the Kenya Cup after seeing off the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine 22-12 in a thrilling playoffs in Kakamega, for Juma that was his last match as a rugby player; the sport he had played for 12 years. The last born in a sporting family of six suffered a skull depression just when he thought his rugby career was on the upward trajectory.
Having started off his career as a winger at Shamas Rugby Foundation before featuring for national under-20 side, Chipu while plying trade for Mmust RFC, the third year Bachelor Disaster Management and International Diplomacy student was destined for greatness. He was definitely the next Collins Injera in the rugby circles, but fate decided otherwise.
Juma, who turned 26 on January 2, 2025, twice clinched the Braeburn Open (2017 and 2018) with Shamas. He then lifted five University 7s’ circuits with Mmust and scooped the club’s 7s top scorer gong in 2020 as he inspired the Kakamega-based university to second place finish in KRU Championship the same year. He was Mmust’s top scorer in the longer version of the game between 2018 and 2020.
Sporting Family
At first he felt frustrated and mentally drained following his sudden injury, but it appears to have been a blessing in disguise if his transition in athletics is anything to go by. Like his role model cum rival Ferdinand Omanyala and Collins Omae who both ditched rugby for the track, Juma seems to have found solace in Kenya’s most successful discipline thanks to the relentless support from his sporting family.
He credits his sister Joyce Juma, who is Kenya’s karate team captain and Commonwealth Karate Championships silver medallist, for playing a key role in his transition period. His other siblings are Mildred Juma (boxing), Evans Juma (basketball), Eric Juma (10-time national karate champion) and Kevin Juma (former Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars player).
“For a moment I thought everything was over, little did I know that death brings life. The doctors said it’s impossible for me to play rugby for about two years. But since I was a fast winger in rugby, I challenged myself to give a try in athletics,” Juma told Standard Sports.
“It was hard for me to take, but in less than three months, I discussed it with my sister (Joyce) who was a sprinter at some time, and she provided me with a kit and training program. That year, I went on to win the national university championships, and finished fourth at All Africa University games. Since then I have never looked back. I want to make it a better place and keep the legacy of our family.”
He continued: “I finally feel I found a place I loved. I always loved sprinting. Although the training is tough compared to a team sport, everything relies on your discipline and ambitions as an individual. At first it was difficult, but I finally coped with everything. I had good people around me including great coaches like James Wahome, Duncan Khaemba and Keisuke from Japan and Jeff Onyango who have mentored me.”
Even though he felt disappointed after failing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Juma, who is currently ranked fifth nationally with a personal best of 10.36 seconds in the 100-meter dash, feels his recent three-month training at Athletic Club Miramas in the City of Miramas in Paris, France, has prepared him well for the upcoming busy season. Juma returned to the country Monday from Miramas where he had been invited by the club through his French coach Michelle Escudier and facilitated by Tujiamini initiative. Kenyan sprinters trained in Miramas ahead of the Paris Olympics in July and August.
Potential in sprints
While in Miramas (October-January), Juma, who is set to compete in the Meeting Indoor Miramas on January 31, won six races and finished second twice (two races each in Miramas, Lyon City, Aubiere and Clemonferont).
The sprinter has also already been invited for the French National Indoor Championships in Nantes on February 13-14 as he continues chasing qualifying times for the 20th World Athletics Indoor Championships in China on March 21-23 with an eye on the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (September 13-21).
“The modern facilities in Miramas made my training enjoyable. That was the best experience of my training career because I got three full months to train in better facilities with a good coach (Michelle Escudier). We worked on the technical aspects of the race and other areas, and I think I have improved enormously. I feel I’m in good shape and determined to lower my PB to at least 10.1,” said Juma.
But asked if he has what it takes to beat Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala in the near future, Juma said:
“Everybody has his time…he is the African champion, in good shape, a great performer and that’s good for him. We can’t take away what he has done for Kenyan sprints, but I have to focus on myself because I have a long way to go and maybe one day I will live my dream. Every king has his own reign, and when my reign comes I will reign forever, and take the race to the next level just like he has done.”
With the likes of Omanyala, national champion Meshack Babu, Mark Otieno, Dan Kiviasi and Isaac Omurwa among others, Juma believes that with good training and support from the government and Athletics Kenya, Kenyan sprinters can be a force to reckon with both continentally and globally.
“We have very good talent and capable sprinters. In recent years, we have seen very good sprinters coming through. But I believe, to sprint you have to be technical, physically and mentally good. Our future relies on how we are going to build the race by having many competitions. With many races you sharpen your skills and technique. We just need to make sprints a culture here at home and support these sprinters by providing them with high performance training,” he said.
While admitting juggling academics and athletics has not been easy, Juma is determined to build a name for himself in both fronts.
