Daniel Kiptum secures marathon title at Deaflympic games

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Nairobi,Kenya:Kenya on Sunday struck gold and a silver in marathon on the first day of the 22nd Summer Deaflympic Games in Fussen, Germany.

World marathon and 10,00m reigning champion Daniel Kiptum won gold clicking Two hours, 24 minutes and 45 seconds edging out Peter Toroitich, who is the bronze medallist at the World Deaf Championships, to silver.  Toroitich clocked 2:28.44.

The marathon was run in Fussen, a southern city of Germany since there is no course to hold the 42km race in Sofia, Bulgaria — the original hold city for the games.

Unfortunately David Njeru failed to defend his runners up position after he finished a distant fifth in 2:45.28. Kiptum, who was in a class of his own, led Kenya’s onslaught from the start to finish even though pundits had expected a stiff challenge owing to the form of his compatriots, Njeru and Toroitich in the competition.

“I was definitely under pressure to perform since I knew my teammates were better than me. However, I held on and am glad the weather was fair and the course was accommodative,” said Kiptum.

Following their victory, Kenya’s Chef De Mission Tom Okiki said: “We are very happy with this kind of start in the games. It’s a good omen and we are hopeful Kenya will carry the day in Sofia.”

While lauding the good start by the Kenyan squad Team Kenya Head of Delegation, Gordon Oluoch, said the Government will do all it can to make the team comfortable in Sofia.

“We are using the Sh37million that has been availed by the government to sort out the needs of the players in such a way that they are free and ready to perform on the pitch. The marathon gold is a clear indication that better things are ahead for the team,”Oluoch said.

Head of Logistics Carolyn Kariuki and Deputy Chef De Mission Ezekiel Kiplangat said the feat displayed by the marathon squad has inspired other athletes, who also have vowed to perform in their categories.

The Kenyan trio was scheduled to depart from Germany yesterday to join their countrymen in Sofia where they will also be involved in other competitions.

Apart from the Government, Safaricom has sponsored the team to a tune of Sh4 million. Safaricom has also pledged a cash award of Sh1million for every gold, Sh600,000 for silver and Sh300, 000 for bronze earned during the championships.

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore stated  that the  basketball team will earn Sh2 million for gold and Sh1million for silver, which will be shared between the players. A third place finish will however, not see the basketball team rewarded.

Kenya is the only Africa representative in basketball in the games.

The athletics team coached by  former national triple jump and heptathlon record holder Caroline Kola bagged seven medals, which included four gold, two silver medals and a bronze during the last Deaflympics  games held in Taipei.

Kola is being assited by Bernard Ochieng’ Mulama and long distance runner Sammy Kibet.

Rachel Kathure is the team physiotherapist while Joseph Kimathi has travelled as the sign language interpreter.