Italian-born Kenyan skier Ongona makes history on Korean snow

In a telephone interview with nation sports Ongona, who is from Italy, said her skiing journey began when she was four years old. A year later, she began competing in cross-country ski events at various levels.

“During the summer holidays from school, my parents enrolled me in a summer camp at a local ski club called the Subiaco Skiers Group. All that was expected of me was to learn to skate. During a skating lesson, my instructor Camila Cinitti noticed my good skiing posture and asked me if I wanted to learn cross-country skiing. I said yes and have been practicing this sport every day since that day. I really love it,” Ongona says.

She showed her promise by winning the under-10 and under-12 women’s cross-country skiing titles at the Inter-Apennine Criterium, receiving recognition from the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) in Lazio and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). I received the shield. Sardinia.

She also won the regional title at the Emilian Apennine Regional Ski Competition and then the Italian title at the National Pinocchio Ski Competition.

“In 2021, I took part in several ski competitions in Friuli Venezia Giulia, where I placed in the top 10 and qualified for the Italian U16 Women’s Championship in La La Mocogno, Modena.” says Ongona.

In 2023, she will participate in the Rollerski World Cup and Cross Country FIS Forni Avoltoli (both Italy) in Val di Fiemme, Trentino in September, and the Cross Country FIS Planica in Slovenia and Cross Country in Italy in December. Participated in Country FIS Sappada.

She says her love for cross-country skiing led her to leave home and study abroad at Bachmann Sports University in Tarvisio, Italy.

Bachmann is one of the best international ski schools in Italy. She has been attending this school since 2021.

The university combines science middle and high school with competitive winter sports. It has produced some of Italy’s best skiers who have competed in national and international winter youth sports competitions, including the World Cup.

Among them are cross-country skier Andrea Gartner, 21, who also competed in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland, and alpine skier who is currently competing in the World Cup ski competition. Mattia Casse (33 years old) is included.

Bachmann is a sports boarding school, where students take lessons each morning in the morning and participate in ski training in the afternoon.

Ongon’a’s main coach at Bachman is Francesco Silverio (Franz). He was the man who always had confidence in Ashley’s ability to compete in international cross-country skiing competitions.

“He keeps telling me I have the skills of an Olympian. I’m so lucky to have such a coach and mentor who believes in me, understands me, and knows how to bring out the best in me.” I am very grateful to Franz for preparing me for the Winter Youth Olympic Games. He was very challenging and encouraged me to work hard towards the realization of this dream. ” says Ongona.

Silverio will hone the Italian-born Ongona’s skills with the support of Andrea Colombo. So how excited is Ongon’a to be competing in his 2024 Winter Youth Olympics? On December 19, On’gon’a said he woke up in the morning and received the best news of his life as an athlete.

“I was very excited to receive an email from the Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), Francis Mutuku, confirming that I had qualified to represent Kenya at the Winter Youth Olympic Games. At the end of the tunnel I felt like I had seen the light. I still didn’t realize that I was qualified to represent Kenya at the 2024 Gangwon-do Games.

Ongona said she started dreaming of competing in the Winter Olympics a year ago as Africa’s first female cross-country skier.

“At that time it was just a dream. Now that dream is about to come true. I have been working so hard for so many years to make this dream come true and I still can’t believe it will come true.” . Now I can say that the hard work pays off.”

Talks about achieving that dream began last year when Ongon’a’s father contacted NOC-K and said his daughter was a good skier and wanted Kenyan sports organizations to help her compete in the Olympics and world championships. It started when I said that.

After several phone calls and emails, NOC-K was convinced enough to give this young woman a try.
Ongon’a said she is grateful and humbled to have made history as the first African and Kenyan female cross-country skier to qualify for the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

“The news of my qualification brought immense joy to all Kenyans, not only in the country but around the world. Since then, I have received a stream of messages of congratulations and encouragement. “It’s really nice to see so many people happy,” she said.

Above Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, said: “Long live Ashley Tsanda Ongona, the brilliant young Kenyan athlete who made history by qualifying for cross-country skiing at the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics in South Korea. ” he tweeted, leading off the celebration.

Ongon’a said she felt very happy after reading Namwamba’s message, and said, “I would like to sincerely thank CS for sending me such a wonderful message of congratulations.”

She considers her qualifications to be a great gift to Kenya, her family, coaches, friends, supporters and everyone who believes in her. “I will continue to work hard to perform better not only at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, but in all other competitions I have the chance to participate in,” she vows.

She really wants to make a name for herself in Korea.

She underwent intensive training for most of last year, with her focus firmly on the Youth Olympics.

“Now that I am officially qualified, my training is specifically focused on preparing me to improve my performance. I took a short break for a few days to celebrate Christmas with my family. Shortly after, I returned to school and resumed training and preparation for the Winter Olympics. I feel ready and looking forward to the historic journey, ”she said with enthusiasm.

Ongona will represent Kenya in Gangwon Province along with alpine skier Issa Borde.

During a recent online preparatory meeting with NOC-K, Mutuku made remarks that made Ongon’a realize how important their participation in the Olympics is.

“He said that the two of us would be flying the Kenyan flag on behalf of over 50 million Kenyans. It’s such a huge responsibility and a real honour,” she said. .

“I am also looking forward to meeting and interacting with athletes and coaches from around the world at the Winter Olympics. It will be a unique opportunity for me to grow as a person and as an athlete.”

Of course, she has role models in the sport.

“Over the last two seasons, I’ve reevaluated[American cross-country skier]Jesse Diggins. She has a lot to offer in terms of inspiration. She even manages to convey joy in TV interviews. The fact that she is always smiling is very motivating, and she is always ready for teamwork.”

Lin Svarn, a 24-year-old Swedish cross-country skier, is another athlete Ongona respects.

“She is one of the brightest young stars in cross-country skiing. She is truly inspiring and despite her young age, I have great respect for her determination and professionalism.

How has Kenya supported her ski career so far?

“NOC-K, which operates as a national ski federation, played a vital role in my journey to the Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea. They also provided financial and administrative support to help me earn and qualify,” Ashley explained.

On the recommendation of NOC-K, in the summer of 2023, together with alpine skier Issa Laborde, Ongona underwent a 14-day intensive training camp in South Korea under the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation.

“NOC-K President Dr. Paul Tergut opened the camp. During the camp he motivated and encouraged us to pursue our dreams and prepared us to aim to participate in the Winter Youth Olympics. He gave it to me,” Ashley said.

Ongona visited the NOC-K office in Nairobi for the first time in August and was deeply moved.

“Receiving the official Team Kenya kit and being officially accepted as part of the Team Kenya family was an important moment. That encounter was memorable for me. Mutuku and NOC-K I will never forget the warm welcome from the staff. It made me feel at home and part of a big family.”

She said she was happy that NOC-K kept checking on her and her training progress and gave her moral encouragement. “It’s great to have such a caring team supporting me,” Ashley said.

NOC-K arranged her trip to the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics.

Kenya was represented at the Winter Olympics by Philip Boit in 1998 (Nagano, Japan), 2002 (Salt Lake City, USA) and 2009 (Turin, Italy). Voight, now 52, ​​competed in cross-country skiing.
Sabrina Simader of Austria and Kenya competed in the alpine category at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Simader also participated in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Lillehammer, Norway).

Currently, Ongona is just 16 years old and seems to be traveling to various places.

The Youth Winter Games opened on Friday, and Ongon’a was among a select few young athletes to stand next to IOC President Thomas Bach and give a speech.

Ongona will first compete in the women’s sprint free heat on January 29, followed by the women’s 7.5km classic heat at the Alpensia Biathlon Center on January 30.