Refugee athlete Perina Nakang dreams of following Athing Mu’s path, overcoming adversity to achieve greatness on the global stage.
Refugee athlete Perina Nakang has pointed out that despite the numerous challenges she faces on and off the track, she aims to follow into the footsteps of Athing Mu.
The American is the youngest woman in history to hold Olympic and world titles in an individual track and field event. At the age of 19, Athing Mu won the gold medal in the 800m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, breaking a national record set by Ajeé Wilson in 2017, and a continental under-20 record.
Athing Mu also took a second gold as part of the women’s 4x400m relay and was the 800m 2022 World champion, becoming the first American woman to win the world championship title over the distance.
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“Having competed in the three international events, I just want to be like Athing Mu in future because I love her humility, and she keeps me going. Discipline is a factor here and I believe one day I will be able to make it in life and become one of the celebrated athletes,” she told World Athletics.
Mu holds the world under-20 record in the women’s indoor 800 m, which she set in early 2021. She also holds the world U20 best in the indoor 600m, set in 2019 when she was 16 years of age. Her time is the third fastest ever run indoors.
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Nakang, who competes in 400m and 800m races, was part of the Kenya Team to the Paris Olympic Games, where she competed in the heats and repechage round, running a PB of 2:08.20 in her heat.
She remains focused on her own journey, hoping that through her dedication and achievements, she too can build a better life for herself and those around her.
“I still have a long journey, and I must thank the International Olympic Committee and World Athletics for introducing the refugee programme because from exposure, one can get to change his or her life and that of their families back at home,” said Nakang.
After coming through the under-20 refugee athlete ranks, the 22-year-old has since progressed to the senior category and competed in the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 and most recently, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Despite the challenges of growing up in a refugee settlement, her resilience and dedication have garnered hope, inspiration and success through hard work. This softly-spoken athlete is a Form Three student at Cornerstone Secondary School in Kakuma who has been inspired by Kenyan champions such as world 800m champion Mary Moraa and multiple world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, whom she has also interacted with during international events.
