Team Rwanda made a strong start to the 2026 CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kenya on Wednesday, October 21, winning three gold medals in the individual time trial (ITT) events.
The continental showpiece, which runs until October 25, saw Diane Ingabire, Jazilla Mwamikazi and Yvonne Masengesho claim gold in the women’s elite, under-23 and junior categories, respectively.
Masengesho became the first Rwandan to reach the podium on the opening day, winning the women’s junior ITT after covering the 10.2-kilometre course in 15 minutes and 37.19 seconds.
The 18-year-old finished three seconds ahead of Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed, who took silver, while Ethiopia’s Rahel Gimbato claimed bronze, 31 seconds behind the winner.
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Mwamikazi followed with another gold medal in the women’s under-23 category, clocking 31 minutes and 17 seconds over 20.4km. South Africa’s Mellett Marzaan finished 27 seconds behind the Rwandan to take silver, while Ethiopia’s Tsige Kiros settled for bronze.
Ingabire completed Rwanda’s golden hat-trick in the women’s elite category, winning the 20.4km race in 31 minutes and two seconds.
The 25-year-old edged out Mauritius’ Aurelie Halbwachs by just one second, while South Africa’s Lucy Young finished third to claim bronze. Rwanda’s Xaverine Nirere, however, failed to finish the race.
Rwanda also secured a silver medal in the men’s elite ITT through Shemu Nsengiyumva, who finished 31 seconds behind Uganda’s Charles Kagimu. Kagimu won the title after completing the 30.6km course in 41 minutes and six seconds, while Kenya’s Evan Kimani took bronze. Rwanda’s Eric Muhoza did not finish.
In the men’s junior category, Brian Ishimwe finished 10th, trailing winner Tristan Hardy of Mauritius by three minutes. Hardy clocked 26 minutes and 49 seconds over 20.4km, while Rwanda’s Yasin Niyonkuru finished 14th.
The championships continue with the mixed team relay over 40.8km, as well as the youth men’s and women’s road races, covering 119.8km and 68.8km, respectively.