\n<\/p>\n
Judo has become a central part of life for the family.<\/p>\n
Arnold still coaches Yafunga Botay and Christian, now 17, occasionally serves as his younger brother’s sparring partner.<\/p>\n
The teenager describes his father as “strict” even at home, with a firm focus on the importance of discipline.<\/p>\n
“Maintaining his weight is not easy. He (Arno) has to keep training consistently,” Arnold said.<\/p>\n
“Judo teaches him respect and helps him interact with others, whether at school or at home.<\/p>\n
“Those lessons follow him everywhere. In judo, every time you fall you gain the strength to keep going.”<\/p>\n
The owner of the dojo in the Kenyan capital where Yafunga Botay has trained since 2020 says his selection for Dakar 2026 has “changed perceptions” of judo in the community.<\/p>\n
“It is helping parents understand that judo is not just a fighting sport – it has real value,” Lawrence Karisa Nyundo told the BBC.<\/p>\n
“I have received calls from parents who want to enrol their children.<\/p>\n
“It is a big achievement for this club that one of our athletes is going to compete at the Olympics. We are praying that he performs well.”<\/p>\n
After Dakar, Yafunga Botay hopes that other refugees can benefit from his experience in the future.<\/p>\n
“In Kakuma, there are good judokas.<\/p>\n
“I think if I achieve [a] gold medal, I can go there and teach them the value of judo.”<\/p>\n
Competition at Dakar 2026 begins on Friday, with the opening ceremony a day later and judo events running from 1-3 November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n