Kirwa wins 5000m T13 in World record time at Paralympics in Rio

Joy and jubilation rent the air at the Olympics stadium in, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last evening after former world triple record holder Henry Kirwa shattered another record to win Kenya her third gold at the ongoing Paralympics Games.

Kirwa, who has been heartbroken for a protracted period after failing to impress four years ago in London returned with a bang to win the men’s 5000m T13 in 14:17.32 in style yesterday.

He did not only set a personal best in the race, but also broke the 14:33.33 record of Bilel Aloui of Tunisia who settled for bronze behind El Amin Chentouf (14:21.04) of Morocco.

Five other athletes also managed to set up a personal best each in the race that Kirwa won with a four second gap between him and Chentouf, who settled for silver.

The athletes were on same level at the start till the fifth lap that Kirwa decided to take flight until he breezed to the tape in triumph.

“I have had a bad season. I did not want anything to stand between me and gold. So I took off and never regretted till I finished with victory,” he said

Kirwa admitted he was a bit disappointed with the bronze he won in the men’s 1500m T13 as he had expected gold in the race he believes is his forte.

“Sometimes things happen in a way one cannot tell, but I am glad to have cleared my stay in Rio with two medals, bronze and a gold to boot,” he said, adding that the medals have wiped the tears of London 2012 where he had a lackluster performance.

“But still Beijing 2008 remains my favourite championship as I shattered World three records,” he said nostalgically.

Kenya now has a total of five medals, three gold and two bronze at the Rio games. Sensational world beater and record holder Samuel Kimani Mushai won Kenya’s two other gold in men’s 1500m T11 and 5000m T11 categories.

Apart from Kirwa’s bronze in men’s 1500m T13, the other bronze medal was won by Wilson Bii in the men’s 5000m T11 race.

Nancy Chelagat, who had a bad start in the games when she failed to bag a spot in the women’s 200m T11 heats was poised to take on the track later in the night (Thursday) in women’s 1500m T11 heats and semis.

Henry Nzungi, who suffered disqualification in the men’s 400m T12 heats last week will take on the track in men’s 200m T12 heats tonight.