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Meet Kenya sevens rugby hunk who stole women’s hearts


As the national sevens rugby team made history by winning the main cup at the Singapore leg of the Sevens Rugby Series on Sunday afternoon, eyes were on the young hunk in the team who bears a striking resemblance to British actor Idris Elba.

Twenty three year-old Sammy Oliech has caused a stir among women fans who have nicknamed him the “young Idris Elba.”

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British actor Idris Elba (left) and Sammy Oliech (right)

Photos of the team’s arrival at JKIA have been widely shared on social media, but most comments and likes were directed at the bearded rugby hunk.

Oliech took time on Wednesday to give Nairobi News a glimpse into his personal life and rugby career.

But first things first, he is single and searching for a goofy, kindhearted, courteous and easy to get along lady.

Asked about his ideal weekend, the 23 year-old Nairobian said he enjoys driving out of town.

“My ideal weekend is a road trip out of town that involves camping and hanging out with my circle of friends,” said Oliech.

He suffers from a rare dislike for normal photos, which is why he prefers sticking out his tongue when taking photos.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

“I started doing that when I was in high school and I sort of made it my trademark basically because I don’t like normal photos,” said Oliech.

The last born in a family of four was bullied into the game while a student at St Mary’s School, popularly known as Saints, by the captain of rugby team.

“When I joined saints I used to play soccer. But since the football department was not doing well I started playing touch rugby. That is where the captain Kimeu Mwithi saw me and forced me to join his team,” Oliech told Nairobi News.

After high school he joined Nondescripts RFC as a full back before moving to his current club Resolution Health Impala Saracens.

Impala's Sammy Oliech (with the ball) during a Kenya Cup rugby league match. PHOTO | FILE
Impala’s Sammy Oliech (with the ball) during a Kenya Cup rugby league match. PHOTO | FILE

The third year computing student at Computer Pride said his first course was hospitality which he dropped during the final year.

“Initially I was at International Hotel and Tourism Institute where I pursued Hotel Management but dropped out because I just did not enjoy the course,” he said.

Like most rugby players, Oliech struggled with convincing his parents to buy into his dream of playing rugby at the highest level. His parents wanted him to focus more on his college education.

“They later turned out to be supportive of my career and even with the latest win they have been excited,” he added.

His best moments during the Singapore tour was, “hearing the gong, being given the cup, basically just knowing that we won.”