BUMPER HARVEST: Paralympics qualify for 2016 Rio Games

PARALYMPICS
KENYA PARALYMPICS TEAM

Kenya's Paralympics squad landed back on Saturday afternoon after a triumphant outing at the ninth Tunis International Meeting in Tunis, Tunisia.

The team amassed 11 medals – four gold, four silver and three bronze –in the 2015 Grand Prix meet that served as qualifications for the 2016 Rio Paralympics, which comes immediately after the Rio Olympic Games, and the 2015 World Paralympic Championships set for Doha, Qatar, in October.

Kenya finished fifth among the 30 African countries in contention in the North Africa nation.

Samwel Mushai and his guide James Boit, who broke the Paralympics T11 world record at the London Olympics, struck gold medal in 800m T11 alongside Hillary Kemboi (5,000mT12), David Korir (5,000m) and debutant James Mangerere in men's javelin F57 category.

Henry Kirwa, the 2008 triple Paralympics champion and the United Nations Development Programme Millennium Development Goals (MDG) ambassador for Africa, settled for silver in the 1,500m T12 cadre.

Wilson Bii (5,000mT11), Henry Nzungi (200m T12) and Cecilia Wangeci (javelin F57) are other silver medallists.

Wilson Bii and David Korir rounded off their exploits with bronze medals in 1,500mT11 and 1,500m respectively while Rodgers Kiprop won bronze in 5,000m.

Ruth Jeruto Chumo, the team's coach, said she was elated with the good show.

"The athletes showed hard work and determination all through. These are signs of good performance in the world championships and the Paralympic Games next year in Rio, Brazil," said Chumo, a member of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

 

DEFENDED TITLE

Hillary Kemboi successfully defended his title in a podium sweep in men's 5000m (T11/12) in 5:24.7 at Athletics Stadium Arena.

Wilson Bii (15:27.00) and Rogers Kiprop (15:30.7) settled for silver and bronze as team captain Henry Kirwa came in fourth in 15:44.00.

James Mang'erere, a sitting volleyball player, struck gold in F56 Javelin with a throw of 33.17m.

"I can only get better, I am promising fireworks in Rio, at the All Africa Games in Brazzaville and at the World Championships in Doha," said 29-year-old Mang'erere.

London 2012 Paralympics silver medalist Samuel Mushai (800m and 1500m), David Korir, chalked up victory in men's 5000m (T13) in 15:17.00.

Mushai and his guide James Boit re-enacted their 2012 London Paralympics show when they won the 800m T11 race in 2:15.22.

Bii, guided by Robert Tarus, won silver in 5000m (T11) in 15:27.00, while Cecilia Mwangi, the sole female medal winner, threw 18.86m in F57 Javelin behind Algeria's Djelal Sofia who set a new world record with a 25m throw.

All was not rosy for Kirwa as he settled for silver in 1500m (T12) in 4:12.00, while Henry Nzungi bagged two silver medals in T12, 100m (13.02) and T12, 200m (25.09).

"We are glad that all the 15 Kenyan athletes who attended the event technically qualified for Rio and Doha after falling within the A and B qualifying standard marks," said Kirwa.

Related Topics

Kenya's Paralympics