1st Kenyan para rower Asiya Sururu excited for Paris ’24 Paralympics

Why did you select para rowing?

I received a call from rower who knew me & said they want someone who uses their upper body part a lot and ready to try rowing. And I went tried rowing, liked it and stuck with it.

My Tokyo experience was more of a learner than competitor. I got to understand the atmosphere and the feeling of being at the highest stage of a sporting discipline.

Yes! I am truly excited, and can’t wait taste that feeling of being in Paris, France for the Paralympics.

Looks similar to 2020 Paralympics preparation, where you feel like you’re running against time. Because I lack the basic equipment (boat) in my home country.

Getting into the medal bracket!

 LA ’28 is definitely into my future plans

The Para Rowing Foundation came into my rowing journey when I really needed the support because I was new to rowing and about to participate at the highest level. From there they supported my training before Tokyo, they gave me a grant to rent out oars at the Tokyo Paralympics because I had non and later they donated to me my first ever oars (skinny oars) that I own. They kept their unconditional support even after Tokyo by taking me to different parts of the world for training, up to date.

I started when I was still teaching, I met the national team coach in public transport and he asked if I would be interested in joining wheelchair tennis and I said yes and the next day I appeared in the training session.

Most of time I would be in my laptop writing my own book ( THE LIFE OF THE HALF WOMAN ) while listening to soft rock or blues, watching movies ( horror/ comedy/ fiction), reading books (motivational) and going out catching up with friends and family.

Life after sports is definitely teaching, doing motivational speaking and reproducing ????