Every week was about training, competing and pushing his body to its limits. As one of Kenya Sevens' leaders, Tony Omondi helped steer Shujaa back to the HSBC SVNS Series, co-captained the side to the 2023 Rugby Africa Sevens Cup title and later fulfilled every player's dream by leading Team Kenya at the Paris Olympic Games.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThen, last year, everything stopped.A pair of devastating knee injuries forced the former Kenya Sevens captain off the pitch and into months of rehabilitation. That replaced the roar of packed stadiums with long, lonely days spent wondering when he would play again.Chipu make flying start to Barthés Trophy campaign with commanding win over ZimbabweIt was during that difficult period that Omondi discovered something he had never really had time to think about while chasing trophies.His impact on Kenyan rugby would not only be measured by what he achieved on the field, but also by the players he would help shape away from it.His return finally came at the Prinsloo 7s.##NAJAVA_MECA_9884003##"Prinsloo 7s was my first tournament back after a long spell on the sidelines due to injury," Omondi said.The road back was anything but simple.It began with a meniscus injury in 2022; one he continued playing through despite the pain. Surgery was eventually planned for October 2025, but just as he was preparing for Safari 7s, disaster struck again.Why exciting Kabras RFC quartet will miss a leg of the circuit"I had been dealing with two injuries. The first was a meniscus injury in 2022, which I was still able to play through. We scheduled surgery for October last year, but unfortunately, as we were preparing for Safari 7s, I injured my other knee. In the end, I had to undergo surgery on both knees, three months apart,” he recalled.The physical pain was manageable, but it was the isolation that proved harder to overcome.##NAJAVA_MECA_9884000##"After the first surgery in October, I went through rehabilitation and recovered well enough before undergoing the second operation in February. Since then, it has been a lonely journey, but I thank God that I am finally back on the playing field,” he offered.Like many players, Omondi had always believed there would be another training session, another tournament and another opportunity to wear the national colours.However, sitting on the sidelines taught him otherwise.Andrew Amonde opens up on pressure of managing a star-studded KCB teamToday, every minute on the pitch carries a different meaning."One thing I no longer take for granted is simply being able to play. I want to push myself to the limit and express myself fully. There's no point holding back just because you're afraid of getting injured. Give your best every time you step onto the field, and leave the rest to God,” he explained.##NAJAVA_MECA_9884006##Ironically, it was while he could not play that he found another calling.Unable to contribute on the field, Omondi turned his attention to coaching youngsters at M-PESA Foundation Academy. What started as a way of staying connected to rugby gradually became a passion."During my recovery, I focused on sharing my knowledge with the M-PESA Foundation Academy team. KRU reveals two reasons behind major overhaul of 2026/27 Kenya Cup fixturesWe managed to compete at the KSSSA Games, and while our performance was encouraging, I believe we can still improve. As we continue, I will keep sharing everything I've learned,” he said.The experience planted a seed.For perhaps the first time, Omondi could picture a future where his influence on Kenyan rugby extended beyond the jersey.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883815##He now wants to become a full-time coach, not because his playing days are over, but because he now understands that knowledge only matters when it is passed on."I look forward to becoming a full-time coach. Right now, I'm enjoying working with M-PESA Foundation because it's a beginner-level program, and I believe in giving back. I don't want to finish playing and keep all the knowledge I've gained to myself. When you see people like Collins Injera, Eden Agero and Andrew Amonde sharing their experience through coaching, that's where I draw my inspiration,” he said.Kenya Sevens star opens up on reason behind joining KCBThat desire to give back comes from someone who has already experienced the highest highs in Kenyan rugby.Omondi co-captained Shujaa to the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup title in 2023, sealing Kenya's qualification for the Paris Olympics. He then helped guide the team back to the HSBC SVNS Series through the Challenger campaign before leading Kenya onto rugby's biggest stage at the 2024 Olympic Games.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883813##He was recently selected among the 14 Kenyans in the inaugural Ultimate Sevens Championship player draft.However, if you ask him what the biggest lesson of the past year has been, it has little to do with medals or titles.Sometimes, it takes being forced away from the game you love to truly appreciate it.