Prisca Awiti: Who is Paris Olympics silver medallist judoka that chose Mexico over Kenya?

Prisca Awiti won an Olympics silver medal for Mexico on Monday but Kenya would have been the one celebrating had she chosen to represent her father’s country.

Had Prisca Awiti chosen Kenya over Mexico, the country would be celebrating its first Olympics medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

The judoka won silver at the Olympics in her weight category (63kg), a rare feat for Mexico, yet she had the choice between Kenya, Britain and the South American nation.

Awiti was born to a Kenyan father and Mexican mother but lived in London which made her eligible to represent the three countries.

However, after featuring for Britain in a number of events, it became difficult to break into the national team, needing a different strategy.

"My weight category was very competitive in the UK, I was very stressed, close to giving up. Then my coach asked if I could get a Mexican passport,” she told beIN Sports.

Then aged 21, she called the Mexican Judo Federation in a bid to switch allegiance and she was allowed in 2017, turning a new page. The journey was not without its challenges, however.

"My Spanish wasn’t very good and I had a language barrier, it was very frustrating, especially with my coach," she added.

Her first crack at the Olympics was in Tokyo three years ago when she finished 17th after losing to Mongolia's Gankhaich Bold.

She, however, did not give up. If anything, her path to Paris had been a promising one.

Awiti won gold at the Pan American Open in 2019, 2022 and 2023 as well as finishing fifth in the world rankings in 2023.

Getting into the Paris Olympics, she was in good shape to compete for a medal which duly arrived on Monday.

Awiti reached the final of her weight category before losing to Slovenia's Andreja Leski by ippon (1-10) to settle for a silver medal.

But how did Kenya end up losing out on such a gifted talent?

"I had the choice to travel with the Kenyan team too, with my heritage. Mexico just seemed so open though and it made sense as we have such good contact. I joined the team in 2017 and have loved it ever since, having spent all my childhood immersed in the culture through my mum,” Awiti told the International Judo Federation.

Now, with the Mexican flag flying high, she wants to use the opportunity to inspire other women in the country.

"We can be warriors, strong. Mexico is traditionally a country where women stay at home. My parents' friends still have that culture, but now we see some men cooking and sharing responsibilities. The culture is slowly becoming more egalitarian," she said.