Angella Okutoyi, at 18 years, has found her X-factor!
She made history by becoming the first Kenyan and African to win a tennis Grandslam title at the 2022 girls’ juniors Wimbledon event with her Dutch partner Rose Marie Nijkamp.
She joins elite athletes like Ferdinand Omanyala and Julius Yego who have pursued sports that Kenya is not known for and found remarkable international success. True trendsetters and influencers. Angella credits her win to inspirational advice from Omanyala who said to her “Give more than 100% in all your matches.”
So how did she find her X factor? I talk more about the X factor here. Her journey was something like this:
Taking Initiative: Angella and her twin sister Roselida Asumwa were orphaned when their mom died during their delivery. They lived with their grandma who is a cook at Loreto Convent school. That is where they started playing tennis. As tenants in the school, not students. She learned early how to seize opportunities.
Grit: Angella was only 4 years old when she started playing tennis. When she found out how gifted she was, she sharpened her gift until it became a superpower. Finding your X factor does not happen overnight, it is a result of persistent hard work.
Coaching: Angela got a coach at age 4. She put in the work and got really good. Her coach helped her get a scholarship to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Centre in Burundi when she was 10. But she had to come back to Kenya, due to civil conflict in Burundi, where she joined the ITF Centre in Nairobi. A good coach is crucial in finding your X factor.
Winning Culture: Having a good coach and hard work paid off. She started her international winning streak with the ITF/CAT East African Junior championship under 14 girls’ doubles in 2017, followed by the 2018 Kenya Open under 14 and under 18 doubles and the 2020 ITF East African Junior Championship doubles.
Collaboration: Angella says that her teaming up with Nijkamp started on Instagram. They were chatting when Nijkamp asked her if she could become her teammate. And they went on to win the junior doubles Grandslam trophy. Your X factor attracts the right team.
Making History: In 2022 she became the first Kenyan to win a match at the Australian winning in the first and second rounds before being eliminated in the third. She moved on to the Roland Garros where she reached the second round.
Uniqueness: It is not easy to pursue a sport that is not popular in your country and become an international star. But that is exactly what Angella did with determination, grit, and consistency. Despite her humble beginnings, she is on top of the world. She has found her X factor.
She was flown home business class by Kenya Airways to a rousing welcome by Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture, Amb. Dr. Amina Mohamed. Your X factor opens important doors and brings you in front of important people.
You too can find your X factor to influence yourself, and others to create impact that matters. To find out how, get in touch with us at hello@theinfluential.co.ke
