Kenya Athletics team win five gold at Africa Paralympics championships

Kenyan athletes at JKIA from a Paralympics qualifier. [PHOTO: ERICK OCHIENG]

Triumphant Kenya Paralympic team jetted back yesterday from Morocco with great promise of reaping medals in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Kenya won five gold, four silver and three bronze medals in International Paralympics qualifiers, in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The national team’s onslaught in the games was led by Bernard Kosgei Kipng’etich, who won one gold and one silver at the games.

Kipng’etich won in 1500m T 12 and finished second in 5000m T12. Kipng’etich had shown thirst for the medal during the national trials at Kasarani  in February, where he made the Paralympics team. He was fourth in a time of 15:24.9, behind Philemon Kipchumba (14:50.8), John Komen (15.07.2), Hillary Kemboi (15:12.1), all of whom travelled to Morocco for the qualifiers.

Misik Stanley, who was second in 4:05.0 behind winner Tarus Irari (4:02.8) at the national trials, surprised many with his superlative performance that saw him win gold in 1500m T46 category in the Morocco qualifiers.

Stephen Wesonga could not hide his joy when he won gold in 400m T47, which subsequently earned him a slot to the Rio games.

Nancy Chelagat Koech was the woman to beat in 200m T11, where she easily sealed victory. Irene Cherono Tanui, competing in 400m T47, was also victorious.

Sylvia Olero Atieno had a distance throw of 26.70m, which earned Kenya a silver medal in women’s discuss F44 category.

Other silver medalists included Wesley Sang Kimeli (400m T 46), Henry Kiprono Kirwa (1500m T12) and Kipng’etich (5000m T12).

Those who settled for bronze in the games were Kimeli (men’s 1500m T12 and 200m T12) and Koech (1500m T11).

Kenya finished fourth in the games that attracted 20 countries.

The performance in Morocco surpasses the first qualifiers held in Tunisia in March, where the team had eight medals.

“We went for the two qualifiers because International Paralympics Committee (IPC) requires us to do so,” said National Paralympics Committee chairperson, Agnes Oluoch.