Road to Bulgaria

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Both Serah Wangare and Simon Kibai, who won in the 10,000m race on the first day of the competition, also won the 5,000m race as the Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) championships at Nyayo National Stadium came to a close yesterday.

Wangare was given a chase by perennial rivals Anne Nasimiyu and Juster Kwamboka but clocked 19:31.5 to win the women contest.

Nasimiyu settled for second place in 20:36.7 while Juster Kwamboka was third in 20:52.4.

World silver medallist Kibai clocked 14:15.0 to prove hot to handle for other world beaters including Michael Letting (14:45.0) and world champion Daniel Kiptum (14:46.7) in the men’s 5000m which was a volatile competition.

Rebecca Matiko walked on air after clinching victories in the women 800m (2:21.3), Javelin (24.80) and 1500m (5:07.00).

“I am now focusing for gold in these categories in Sofia,” said the 17-year --old who is a Form Two student at Gianchere Secondary for the Deaf.

HOPEFUL

Matiko is hopeful she will get a competent coach to propel her for a win in the global arena as currently she trains under her school teacher Joan Jeremiah.

Matiko added that she was greatly surprised with her win in the 800m which she was attempting for the first time in the Deaflympics. She was position eight in the world championships last year.

World junior steeplechase record holder, Baxton Menjo, also cruised to the tape to win the men’s 800m race in 1:53.2.

“I am sad that I lost to Kibai in the 1,500m, I blame my spikes for not making me comfortable in that run,” Menjo said.

Only Linet Wanjala qualified in the women triple jump with a personal best of 10.27m.

ASSISTANCE

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore who graced the prize giving ceremony assured that his company would assist the government in funding the team.

The government through the Department of Sports pledged to cater for the selected team’s expenses locally and in Sofia.

While thanking the government, Safaricom and Charity Sweepstake for the funds DAAK Public Relations Officer and the Sofia Games Chef De Mission Tom Okiki said: “I am humbled with the amount of sponsorships we received that enabled us complete the trials successfully.”

“We are hopeful that Kenya will surpass the mark which was made in Taipei in 2009.”

Interestingly, world women 200m champion, Beryl Atieno and her siblings Rael Wamira and Omondi Wamira were the pearl of the crowd.

She (Atieno), also helped the Lake Region team to retain the relay title after she raced to win in 52.98.