Judo has become a central part of life for the family.

Arnold still coaches Yafunga Botay and Christian, now 17, occasionally serves as his younger brother’s sparring partner.

The teenager describes his father as “strict” even at home, with a firm focus on the importance of discipline.

“Maintaining his weight is not easy. He [Arno] has to keep training consistently,” Arnold said.

“Judo teaches him respect and helps him interact with others, whether at school or at home.

“Those lessons follow him everywhere. In judo, every time you fall you gain the strength to keep going.”

The owner of the dojo in the Kenyan capital where Yafunga Botay has trained since 2020 says his selection for Dakar 2026 has “changed perceptions” of judo in the community.

“It is helping parents understand that judo is not just a fighting sport – it has real value,” Lawrence Karisa Nyundo told the BBC.

“I have received calls from parents who want to enrol their children.

“It is a big achievement for this club that one of our athletes is going to compete at the Olympics. We are praying that he performs well.”

After Dakar, Yafunga Botay hopes other refugees can benefit from his experience in the future.

“In Kakuma, there are good judokas.

“I think if I achieve [a] gold medal, I can go there and teach them the value of judo.”

Competition at Dakar 2026 begins on Friday, with the opening ceremony a day later and judo events running from 1-3 November.