The Kenya sevens team was not on the podium to receive any silverware. That place belonged to hosts France who bagged gold, Fiji and South Africa who won silver and bronze.

But, Humphrey Kayange, a former Kenya captain who stepped on the pitch when rugby was readmitted to the Olympics was given a rare opportunity to present silver medals to two-time Olympic winners Fiji. The moment that was beamed to millions of viewers globally put Kayange in the limelight. 

Fiji are familiar adversaries and have in the past forged a good relationship with Shujaa and other African teams. Some of the players, among them Jerry Tuwai, played against the individual who was presenting the medals. The mutual respect between the players and Kayange was evident.

Rugby fans and Kenya players were in awe of the honor bestowed on one of their own. What some fans know is that Kayange was one of the players who was instrumental in World Rugby’s campaign to bring back the shorter version of the game to the Olympics.

Away from the podium, the same script was re-written in Paris when Shujaa, edged out Samoa 10-5 to finish ninth at the Olympics in Paris, France on Saturday. 

At the last Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Shujaa kept a clean sheet by beating Ireland 22-0. On Saturday, John Okoth and Anthony Omondi scored one try each with Samoa replying with a try by Motu Opetai. 

Just like in the past two Olympics, Kenya were unable to win any match at the pool stage. 

When rugby was readmitted to the Olympics, Kenya were grouped in Pool C with Great Britain, Japan and New Zealand. Great Britain beat Kenya 31-7 with the lone try scored by Billy Odhiambo and converted by Biko Adema. New Zealand won the next match 25-5. Collins Injera scored an unconverted try. The third match saw Japan convincingly beat Kenya 31-7. Injera scored a try for Kenya and Adema converted. In the play-off Kenya were narrowly beaten 14-12 by Spain and saw off Brazil 24-0 in the 11th place play-off. The team coached by Benjamin Ayimba had: Oscar Ayodi, Bush Mwale, Oscar Ouma, Augustine Lugonzo, Billy Odhiambo, Humphrey Kayange, Biko Adema, Andrew Amonde (captain), Dennis Ombachi, Samuel Oliech, Collins Injera, and Willy Ambaka.

In Tokyo, under Innocent Simiyu, the Kenya team recorded some close matches in Pool C with South Africa, USA and Ireland despite finishing bottom of the log. Kenya narrowly lost 14-19 to the USA. Injera and Jeff Oluoch scored one try each for Kenya and Eden Agero added the conversions. Another close match saw Vincent Onyala score a try against Ireland which was converted by Daniel Taabu. Ireland won 12-7. The third match against South Africa ended 12-5 in South Africa’s favor. Injera scored the lone try.

In the ninth place play off, Alvin Otieno, Oluoch and Andrew Amonde each scoured a try that were converted by Johnstone Olindi to book a date with Ireland. Kenya kept a clean sheet against Ireland by winning 22-0. Ambaka, Olindi, Jacob Ojee and Amonde scored one try each. Olindi added a conversion.

Team: Daniel Taabu, Herman Humwa, Alvin Otieno, Vincent Onyala, Billy Odhiambo, Jeff Oluoch, Eden Agero, Andrew Amonde (captain), Nelson Oyoo, Collins Injera, Johnsttone Olindi, Willy Ambaka, Jacob Ojee. 

Results

Cup quarter finals: New Zealand 7 South Africa 14, Argentina 14 France 26, Fiji 19 Ireland 15, Australia 18 USA 0; Semi final:South Africa 5 France 19, Fiji 31 Australia 7; Final: France 28 Fiji 7.

Third place play-off: South Africa 26 Australia 19.

Fifth place semi-final: New Zealand 17 Argentina 12; Ireland 17 USA 14; Final: New Zealand 17 Ireland 7. 

Seventh place play-off: Argentina 19 USA 0.

Ninth place semi final: Samoa 42 Japan 7, Kenya 19 Uruguay 14; Final: Samoa 5 Kenya 10.

11th place finals: Japan 10 Uruguay 21.

Final ranking: 1. France, 2. Fiji, 3. South Africa, 4. Australia, 5. New Zealand, 6. Ireland, 7. Argentina, 8. USA, 9. Kenya, 10. Samoa, 11. Uruguay, 12. Japan. 

Pool results

Pool A: New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Japan

Ireland 10 South Africa 5, New Zealand 40 Japan 12, Ireland 40 Japan 5, New Zealand 17 South Africa 5, South Africa 49 Japan 5, New Zealand 14 Ireland 12. 

Pool B: Australia, Argentina, Samoa, Kenya

Australia 21 Samoa 14, Argentina 31 Kenya 12, Australia 21 Kenya 7, Argentina 28 Samoa 12, Samoa 26 Kenya 0, Argentina 14 Australia 22.

Pool C: Fiji, France, USA, Uruguay.

France 12 USA 12, Fiji 40 Uruguay 12, France 19 Uruguay 12, Fiji 38 USA 12, USA 33 Uruguay 17, Fiji 19 France 12.