BIG TASK FOR KENYANS IN RIO: Mushai faces stiff competition in today's 5000m (T11) finals in Rio

Athlete Samuel Mushai, T11 1500Mts and 5000Mts race with his guide James Boit (left) during Paralympic training ahead of Rio 2016 games training in Ngong, Kajiado North on Monday, August 15, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya starts her medal hunt at the 15th edition of the Paralympics Games today after the opening ceremony last night.

The track programme gets underway today at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Among the four athletes who will be chasing glory for the country in the today’s 5000m (T11) final is men’s 1500m (T11) record holder Samuel Kimani Mushai.

Mushai who is definitely the race favourite is hopeful he will live up to expectations by stumping his authority in the race expected to be hotly contested owing to the calibre of competitors lining up.

Apart from Mushai, other race favourites are Wilson Bii and Erick Sang who have also registered for the 1500m race where Muchai will be defending his title.

But Mushai insists he is not cowed by the other medal prospects noting he has done his homework well and is confident of victory in todays final.

“I did well in the national trials at Kasarani and performed impressively at the Olympics qualifiers, I have gauged my body and all I can say is I am focused on gold,” he said.

Mushai will again take to the pitch on Sunday for the semi-final heat of the 1500m will be on.

But Bii and Sang also believes they have come of age and are now ripe to be Paralympic champions.

They insist today’s race is quite open and will go to whoever will be lucky on the day.

However, the three say they have worked out a plan and have agreed to ensure the medals come to Kenya.

Henry Nzungi Muendo who is registered for the 400m and 200m (T12) sprints will be the other Kenyan athlete in track action today as he seeks qualification to the next round.

Nzungi will attempt to overcome stiff challenges against top athletes from Great Britain, America and Jamaica to qualify for the 400m semis.

“I am praying and hopeful that I will make it to the finals which will be run tomorrow,” noted Nzungi.

Kenya will have two athletes in the competition tomorrow.

Timoi Itaken will represent the country in rowing in the men’s single scull category while Gabriel Magu will feature in the power lifting category.

“It’s the first time Kenya is taking part in these rare games and we believe the athletes would learn key lessons that would help them take the disciplines to the next level when they return to Kenya,” said Kenya National Paralympics Committee chairperson Agnes Oluoch who is with the team in Rio.