Ashley Tshanda Ongong'a

One-year countdown to 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games begins today. We are working hard and are determined to get there, God willing.
NOCK- Olympics Kenya

Tra le bandiere che sventolano sospinte dal vento di Schilpario, ce n’è una che porta con sé una storia particolarmente coinvolgente. É quella del Kenya, rappresentata ai Mondiali Under 23 di sci di fondo da Ashley Tshanda Ongonga, atleta in gara per il paese africano

Sci di fondo - Schilpario, l'italo-keniota Ashley Ongonga a Fondo Italia: "Mi godo l'esperienza. Milano-Cortina? Un grandissimo sogno" - Fondoitalia Originaria di Subiaco ma portacolori del Kenya, Ashley Ongonga racconta a Fondo Italia la sua esperienza ai Mondiali U23 di Schilpario.

Planning ahead and looking forward to a wonderful year. This will certainly be a great year. Watch this space.

Planning ahead and looking forward to a wonderful year. This will certainly be a great year. Watch this space.

È stato un weekend pieno di emozioni a Maranello per le due tappe di Coppa Italia Skiroll: all’inizio non ero molto convinta delle prestazioni che avrei potuto dare perché ero abbastanza affaticata di gambe. Il mio obbiettivo principale era quello di dare il massimo nella 10km di domenica non tanto nella super sprint poiché essendo la prima a cui partecipavo non potevo aver aspettative alte se non quelle di divertimi e così.
Nella gara di domenica mi sono divertita tanto perché è stata una gara molto tecnica e di astuzia; in partenza abbiamo avuto l’onore di essere scortate dalla Ferrari per i primi 100m di gara, l’ho trovata come una fortuna poiché ci ha permesso di stare tutte compatte nel primo giro quindi di rimanere in traiettoria e far ti**re le ragazze d’avanti, poi giustamente ci siamo divise e abbiamo formato vari trenini io ero con un altra ragazza e mano mano nel corso della gara siamo riuscite a riprendere le ragazze d’avanti a noi che ci hanno permesso di recuperare le energie e verso la fine abbiamo avuto l’opportunità di fare uno sprint finale che sfortunatamente ho perso, ad un soffio dal terzo posto per la categoria U18.
Nel complesso però veramente una bella esperienza; ho potuto rincontrare i miei vecchi compagni di squadra del comitato emiliano e soprattutto un bellissimo ambiente e nuove emozioni e sensazioni che vorrei andare a ritrovare nelle prossime gare

A nice climb in company ⛰️⛰️

I sincerely hope that, after seeing me, many more young people would see this as an incredible opportunity to start skiing. Because I believe it is time for Africa to fully embrace winter sports

Meet Ashley Ongong’a, the First-ever African to Compete in Cross-Country Skiing at Winter Youth Olympics | HowAfrica Latest news, views, gossip, photos and video Ashley Ongong'a made history as the first African and Kenyan to compete in cross-country skiing at the Winter Youth Olympics. The 16-year-old expressed to Olympics.com, "It's a big responsibility because so many Africans now know about me." I sincerely hope that, after seeing me, many more young peo...

"Ashley Ongong'a's participation in the Winter Youth Olympics is more than a personal achievement. It is a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes across Africa, a testament to the continent's untapped potential in disciplines traditionally dominated by other regions. Her journey serves as a clarion call for African youth to explore and seize opportunities in winter sports, shattering long-standing stereotypes and expectations in the process."

Ashley Ongong'a: The Kenyan Trailblazer in Winter Sports Ashley Ongong'a, a 16-year-old Kenyan athlete, makes history as the first African to compete in cross-country skiing at the Winter Youth Olympics.

My coach Francesco Silverio (Franz) is a man who has always been convinced of my ability to participate in international cross-country skiing competitions. Long before I qualified for the Winter Youth Olympic Games, he repeatedly told me that I had the skills of an Olympic athlete. I’m so lucky to have such a coach and mentor who believes in me, understands me and knows how to bring out the best in me. I’m very grateful to Franz for all he did to prepare me for the Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea. He has been terribly challenging and encouraging. Grazie mille coach.

Taking part in the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Korea was an amazing experience. I had a chance of spending more than 2 weeks in the company of athletes, coaches, officials and sports managers from all parts of the world. I learnt so much from interacting with these people, sharing experiences, observing their ways of doing things. The top-notch facilities, competent and friendly staff made our stay here memorable. And I made so many friends! This Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience has transformed my life as a person and as an athlete, and has broadened my horizons. I consider this experience the dawn of the day that will end at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina 2026.
I’m determined to “go and do what Kenya does best, to conquer the world” as we were encouraged by Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary .

I hope that my participation and performance (together with Issa Laborde) at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Korea will encourage many Kenyans and Africans to embrace winter sports so that next time we can have many competing at this level. To win, we must compete, and we have laid the foundation stone by competing this time. The world is used to seeing Kenyan flag being raised after our athletes’ marathon success. It’s a high time they started seeing and got used to seeing Kenyan flag at the winter sports events.