Perina LOKURE NAKANG

Born in war-torn South Sudan, Perina fled to Kenya with her aunt at the age of seven to escape the conflict. Settling in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, she found solace in sports, engaging in basketball and football before discovering her passion for running. Athing Mu, the Olympic champion of South Sudanese descent, is one of her inspirations.

In August 2023, Perina achieved a significant milestone by competing at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest as part of the Athlete Refugee Team where she competed in the same stadium as her role model Mu. Today running is both a routine that helps her navigate challenges of camplife, as well as an Olympic dream to work towards. She was a member of the Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.