NAIROBI, Kenya, May 21- It was a dream come true for Kenya vice captain Collins Injera as he broke Santiago Gomez Cora’s record to become the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series all-time leading try scorer with 231, after touching down in Shujaa’s 29-12 loss against France at the final round of the 2015-16 season in London on Saturday.
Brilliant Injera scored Kenya’s second try in their last group C match where they were relegated to the Bowl, after his elder brother Humphrey Kayange easily set him up.
Injera celebrated in style as he went down on his knees to thank the almighty before taking off his shirt to run towards the stands where his dad and mum were seated and hand them the shirt.
An ecstatic Injera, who wrote history as the first African to break the world top-try scorers record, said, “It’s an amazing feeling, ever since I started playing, I have been chasing the dream and I’m happy my dream has been realized even though the game didn’t go our way it’s a milestone. We have to keep on moving step by step,” the 29-year-old said.
“Twickenham is a lovely place, I scored my first career try here against New Zealand way back so it’s always special place for me, the atmosphere is amazing and it’s a lovely place to play rugby. It’s a special moment for my parents choosing to come down and support us although.
“They have been with us all through our lives and for them to be here is an extra morale booster and credit to all the Kenyan fans who have been supporting us all through,” Injera stated.
Twickenham has been a pleasant venue for Injera where he scored his first ever career try, played his 50th tournament, scored his 200th series try and now breaking the all-time world top try scorers record.
Kenya needed to beat France to advance to the Main Cup quarters and all eyes were on Injera to see if he will break the record, but it was Pierre Gilles Lakafia who sprinted down the touchline and round under the posts for the first try.
Shujaa’s poor run just after going 12-24 to Scotland in the second match continued, as they failed to match France’s display in the first half to see Steeve Barry and then Damien Cler give the Frenchmen a commanding 19-0 lead at the break.
France picked up where they left off when the last half began, with Virimi Vakatawa and Arthur Retiere grounding to take an unassailable 29-0 advantage.
Kenya did mount a late rally with captain Andrew Amonde touching down before veteran Kayange helped his younger sibling Injera score his 231st try on the series to surpass Cora’s all-time record.
Kenya will face Wales in the Bowl quarter-final on Sunday at 11:52am local time (+3GMT).