Beer guzzlers, short-tempered, foul-mouthed, mean and muscled men - these are some of the words that would best describe a rugby player, right? Not if you've met Victor Sudi. But then, Sudi is hardly your run-of-the-mill rugby player.
 The Kenya Harlequins Rugby Club player is an icon in the sports scene and his name is mentioned with reverence by fans and fellow rugby players. He has criss-crossed the world representing the country in both sevens and fifteen-aside teams.
At only twenty five years old, Sudi is one of the players in the Kenya rugby team always assured of a place in the starting line-up and has been a key player in the national team in both local and international assignments. Despite all the grandeur surrounding his name, Sudi is a surprisingly humble and jolly gentleman, living a prudent Christian life.
Raised up in Magiwa Estate in Ngumo, Sudi is privileged to be part of a family that has supplied the sports scene with fine rugby talent. All his three brothers Innocent Simiyu , Nato Simiyu and Felix Simiyu are professional rugby players. Innocent plays for Kenya Harlequins and he is also an international player while Nato and Felix play for Impala Rugby Club.
In 1997, Sudi joined Dagoretti High school and it was there that he learnt how to play rugby the right way. Since he had a passion for the sport, it was not hard for him to harness his skills. He soon caught the attention of the school rugby coach during practice sessions and was included in the school team when still in form one.
Being part of the school team was a great privilege for him, giving him an opportunity to sharpen his skills and by the time his second year, his game had improved greatly and he was a constant attraction during matches.
While in form two, Sudi was a close friend of their born-again Dorm Captain who would relentlessly share the Gospel with the rugby star. The message of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was hard to comprehend for Sudi who was raised in a Catholic family. But he later softened his heart and accepted Christ in July, 1998.
He says:
“From talking with My Dorm Captain made me realize that I needed Jesus Christ in my life and following Christ was not a punishment but a completion of God's will for a good life.”
After completing high school in the year 2000, he started training with the Impala Club players and with his impressive performance, he was called up to the team in the year 2001. He continued playing at the club until he was called up to the Kenya National Sevens squad which was set to play in the IRB tournament in George, South Africa in 2003.
 In 2005 Sudi was honored to captain Kenya 's Sevens team. He also captained the fifteen-a-side national team at the commonwealth games in the same year. Sudi's most outstanding moment in the game was during the 2005 Safari Sevens. The Sevens team had a number of Christians players and they bonded and became closer to each other and to God during and after the tournament.
Sudi admits that being a born again high profile rugby player is a great challenge with numerous temptations ready to slay him. He also acknowledges that it is hard to remain strong in salvation with all the glamour surrounding his life especially when he is on tour abroad. However, he believes that God is not willing to let him be tempted beyond what he cannot handle and that keeps him going.
One might be surprised to learn that rugby is not all that Sudi's life is about. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and is an auditor with Deloitte and Touche. So how does he balance the demanding nature of auditing with his rugby exploits? He explains that it's all about knowing and holding to your priorities. Many are the times he will miss crucial matches as a result of workload, but he has still made it work for him.
Sudi hopes to one day set up a rugby academy that will help nurture young talent and develop the sport in the country. His other desire is to be part of his dream rugby team, Northampton Saints as well as become a coach when he retires from playing rugby.
His favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
With such a gentle heart and faithfulness to God, even the sky is not a limit for Victor Sudi.
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