MUNGAI Nicholas

General
EDUCATION AND FUTURE PLANS
After graduating with a degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Turin in Italy, he earned a master's degree in advanced sports science and techniques from the same university, which he hopes will help him achieve his goal of becoming a judo coach in the future. "I would like to become a coach. In fact, alongside my judo training, I tried to pursue my university career as well. I graduated my master's with honours and one of my goals is certainly to continue to train and gain experience in order to become a good coach." (LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2021; grappling-italia.com, 17 Nov 2020; Instagram profile, 05 Jun 2021)

EMOTIONAL VICTORY
He says his standout victory was at the 2015 Italian University Championships in Salsomaggiore, which took place shortly after his mother had passed away from cancer. "It was one of the most significant victories for me, even though it wasn't a very important competition. It was a very sad time, my mum had passed away about 10 days before and I didn't know whether to compete or not. Finally, I thought about what she would have wanted me to do and decided to fight. We were competing to take part in the World University Games, and for the Nicholas of the time it was not a trivial matter. I won the competition by beating the reigning Italian champion in the final with a yuko on the gong. I got off the tatami in tears because I knew that somehow I had honoured her. My eyes tear up even when I think about it now." (grappling-italia.com, 17 Nov 2020)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Together with his sister Irene, in 2020 he organised the online event 'Fight the Cancer' in honour of his mother. Three guests were invited to share their experiences in sport with the aim of bringing together the judo community and celebrating his mother's life, while also raising funds for a local paediatric oncology department. He hopes to hold the event annually. (grappling-italia.com, 17 Nov 2020; Facebook profile, 09 Dec 2020)