CRISPIN “GOJ” ODHIAMBO PROFILE
| NAME | CRISPIN ODHIAMBO OJWANG |
| AGE | 45 YEARS |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | PROFESSIONAL DRAUGHTS PLAYER |
Crispin Odhiambo Ojwang, known as “Goj”, is East Africa’s only Draughts Grandmaster, and is ranked fifth in the world by the American Checker Federation (ACF).
Early Life and Education
Crispin Odhiambo Ojwang was born on June 8, 1981, in Kibera, Nairobi.
Goj grew up in poverty, living in a poorly built shanty in Kibera with his parents.
His father died when he was young, and his mother later moved to rural Siaya County.
Unfortunately, due to poverty, Odhiambo dropped out of school after Class Eight because his family could not afford fees despite being reported to be a very bright student in school.
According to Chrispin Goj, he discovered draughts when he was ten years old in primary school.
By the time he was 12 years, he was beating older and experienced players and deepened his love for the game.
At the time, there were no smartphones, and most people in Kibera played draughts to pass the time.
Most of those in the playing areas either came to play or watched others play while discussing politics or telling stories.
Career
Odhiambo’s introduction to formal strategy and competitive play was facilitated by a mentor known locally as Omondi, who guided him through early club-level tournaments.
These experiences transformed his casual street skills into formal strategy and encouraged him to take on professional and larger challenges.
Goj’s first breakthrough came in 2019 at the World Qualifier Tournament in Antalya, Turkey, where he faced some of the strongest players in the game.
He drew two games against five-time world champion Alexander Moiseyev, scored a win and a draw against South Africa’s Lubabalo Kondlo, and held Italy’s Sergio Scarpetta to draws.
These results earned him international recognition and marked the start of his rise on the global stage.
In 2024, Odhiambo achieved his greatest triumph by winning the German Open Draughts Championship in Korbach.
Over seven rounds, he scored 23 points and defeated top-ranked players, including Kondlo and Melikaya Nonyukela.
This victory confirmed his status as one of the best draughts players in the world.
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Earlier that year, he also competed in the African Draughts64 Championship in Lusaka, Zambia, where he won silver and bronze medals in different categories, proving his dominance on the continental stage.
In Kenya, Odhiambo has maintained an unmatched record.
In December 2023, he defended his title at the Kenya Open National Championship in Nairobi, scoring 27 points in 12 rounds against a strong field of 34 players, including Barbados Grandmaster Jack Francis.
He continues to dominate local tournaments such as Umoja II, where he is often referred to as “Kenya 1”.
Currently, Odhiambo is recognized as East Africa’s only Grandmaster and is ranked among the top five players globally by the American Checker Federation.
Challenges Faced by Chrispin Goj
Despite his success on the draughts board, Crispin Odhiambo has faced many obstacles throughout his career.
The biggest challenge Goj has reported over the years has been a lack of financial support.
Draughts is not well-funded in Kenya, and players often rely on personal savings or small contributions to travel to tournaments.
Odhiambo has missed major events like the U.S. Open because he could not raise enough money for travel and accommodation.
Even when he qualifies for international competitions, Goj sometimes travels alone because his teammates cannot afford the costs.
Another challenge is limited sponsorship, as unlike other sports that attract corporate backing, draughts receives little attention from sponsors.
Odhiambo has had to balance his passion for the game with his job as a painter to earn a living.
Preparing for tournaments while working full-time is difficult, yet he continues to compete at the highest level.
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Training facilities and resources are also scarce, and most of Odhiambo’s practice happens in local clubs or informal settings, without access to advanced tools or coaching that players in other countries enjoy.
He has had to rely on self-study and experience gained from matches to improve his skills.
However, Odhiambo believes that with proper support from the government and sponsors, Kenya could produce more world-class players and make draughts a recognized sport in the region.
Family and Net Worth
There is no public record of Crispin Odhiambo’s marital status or children, and he has kept his private life out of the media.
Odhiambo’s net worth is also not officially documented.
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