Janet Wanja Biography: Family, Early Life, Age, Education, Career, Net worth
Janet Wanja Biography
Janet Wanja Biography:Janet Wanja (born 24 February 1984) was a Kenyan volleyball star. She played for Kenya at the 2004 Olympics and won many titles. Her journey from a young talent to a national icon is inspiring. Janet’s story is filled with passion, dedication, and triumphs. Keep reading to discover the life of this remarkable athlete.
Janet Wanja Early Life
Janet Wanja (born 24 February 1984) is a celebrated Kenyan volleyball player. She was born in Nairobi, Kenya. Janet attended Mukumu Girls High School, where she discovered her passion for volleyball. She later joined Kenya Pipeline Company, where she honed her skills.Janet’s career took off when she joined the national team in 2000. She represented Kenya in numerous international competitions, including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Her exceptional skills as a setter earned her recognition and respect in the volleyball community.
Janet Wanja Education
Janet Wanja’s education played a crucial role in her development as a volleyball star. She attended Kahawa Primary School, where she excelled in both academics and sports. Later, she joined Mukumu Girls High School, a renowned institution for nurturing sports talents. If you’re curious about Janet Wanja’s education, these schools were instrumental in shaping her successful volleyball career.
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Janet Wanja Family
Janet Wanja’s family has been a pillar of support throughout her life and career. If you’re interested in Janet Wanja’s family, they stood by her during her volleyball journey and her battle with gallbladder cancer. Her brother, Kevin Kimani, often expressed gratitude for the support they received from the community.
Janet Wanja Personal Life
She was in a relationship with a British national, Andrew Swearman, but the relationship ended rather acrimoniously. In 2017, she introduced another partner, a white man, but she kept further details private.
Janet Wanja Career
Wanja’s volleyball career began in high school, where she played as a setter. Her talent was evident and quickly attracted the attention of scouts. She was soon called up to join the national youth team.In 2001, she was selected to represent Kenya in the All-Africa Games held in Abuja, Nigeria, marking a major milestone in her career. At just 17 years old, she impressed the world with her poise and exceptional playmaking abilities.
She began her professional career at Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), where her skills were honed. She later joined Kenya Pipeline, where she was not only a key player but also served as a gym instructor. At Pipeline, she became a major force, helping the team dominate nationally and compete on the international stage.She was a key member of the Kenya Women’s National Volleyball Team, Malkia Stars. Wanja represented Kenya at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where Malkia Strikers secured the 11th spot. She proudly wore jersey number 7.
In the 2007 African Volleyball Championship, Wanja was awarded the title of ‘Best Setter,’ helping Kenya secure its seventh continental title against Algeria. She also played a significant role in Kenya’s victory at the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix, contributing to the team’s historic win.
Janet Wanja Death
Janet Wanja’s illness were shared by her brother, Kevin, on December 9, 2024. According to him, the volleyball icon had been unwell for about four months prior to the announcement and was undergoing treatment at the time.Wanja, who was the Malkia Strikers trainer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and is currently undergoing treatment in Nairobi.
In the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix, Wanja had been taken ill and missed some important matches. In an interview with the Standard newspaper, she revealed that she feared for her life,The doctors said that I had a bacterial infection in my stomach. At some point, I even thought I was going to die. Things were so tough for me, but I went through medication and I am now fine,” she told the publication.
On December 27, 2024, Kenyans—and her fans around the globe—woke up to the heartbreaking news of Janet Wanja’s passing. She succumbed to gallbladder cancer, as confirmed by her brother Kevin Kimani.From WoK, may her soul rest in peace, and may her family find comfort during this difficult time.
