Kenyan rugby star Collins Injera has retired from rugby.
Through a post on social media, Injera said he had to listen to his body after months of deliberating whether to call it quits.
He also thanked all those who accorded him support throughout his career, reserving a special mention for his wife and kids who have been there for him all through.
“Everything must come to an end someday. I have always said I will know it’s time because my body will tell me. And for the past few months, it has really ‘spoken’ to me so, finally, I have decided to listen to it.”
He added: “As hard as this is for me, after 17 years of literal blood, sweat and tears, it’s time to step away from this great game that has given me so much more than I could ever ask for. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the strength, opportunities, and protection to be able to play the game I really love for this long.”
“To my wife, Chebet, and my kids Chloe, Clyde, and Carl, thank you very much for all the love, support and understanding you have given me all these years.
The 36-year-old retires as Kenya’s highest top scorer in the national sevens team and holds second place on the all-time try-scoring list in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, having recorded 279 tries during his career.
Injera made his debut with the team at the 2006 Dubai and played in the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup, where Kenya reached the semifinals.
Injera now moves to Avanti Communications, a UK-based satellite operator, where he will take up a role to support its operations in East Africa.