Great talent exibited at ongoing Deaflympics trials at Nyayo Stadium
It was action galore at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi yesterday as Deaf Athletics of Kenya (DAAK) gathered to select a competitive team for the delayed 2021 Summer Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
The two day invent kicked off on a high with Simon Kibai scooping the first position in the 5000m with a time of 14:07:05.
Serah Wangare came in first in the ladies’ category with a season best of 18:55:04 with Gracy Kendagor coming in the second position with a personal best time of 19:08:00.
Sisters Beryl Wamira and Rael Wamira both qualified for the finals of the 100m ladies’ category. The sisters posted personal bests of 12:14 and 12:09 respectively.
In the 1500m ladies’ category, Sharon Bitok and Rebecca Matika bullied their way in the final list in a competitive race. Sharon posted a best time of 5:00:09 with Rebecca posting 5:24:09.
Simon Kubai from Uasin Gishu posted a best time of 4:07:02 to scoop the first position in the 1500m category. Michael Letting and Francis Rondi from Uasin Gishu and Kisii came in second and third respectively.
Simon Cherono, who won gold in men’s 10000m and 5000m at the fourth World Deaf Athletics Championships in Lublin, Poland in August 2021 was not in the podium finish. The global event will take place from May 1 to 15 this year.
Kenya will be represented by four teams which include athletics, women’s football team and both men’s and women’s basketball sides. Deaf Football Federation of Kenya has since named a 35 woman squad to go into camp from March 20 in preparation for the 24th edition of the Deaflympics.
According to DAAK chairman Jones Kirui 200 participants from across the country are expected at Nyayo Stadium for the two day event. However, DAAK will only select 70 athletes who will enter camp from March 26 in preparation for the global event.
In both men’s and women’s categories DAAK is expected to select participants from discus and long jump. Others include men’s high jump, pole vault, hammer, javelin, and triple jump athletes. The athletes will meet on Wednesday to select the final list of the traveling team
