KENYANS THROWN OUT: Nzungi among those disqualified at Paralympic Games

Category T12 winner Henry Nzungi lead other competitors during the National Team Selection for 11th Edition All Africa Games and 2015 IPC Athletics world championships at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

Three Kenyan athletes have been disqualified in their categories at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Henry Nzungi who was among the men’s 400m T12 favorites was disqualified in round one of heat four after failing to adhere to the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) competition rules.

Nzungi, who had seemed to have made it to the semi finals of that race, was disqualified after the race alongside Khamraev Fakhriddin of Uzbekistan. The heat was won by Benjamin Jorge of Mexico who posted 52.62.

Juan Enrique of Spain posted a personal best of 49.56 to triumph in round one heat three while round one heat two was bagged by Morocco’s Afri Mahdi (49.32) as heat one went to South Africa’s Hilton Langenhoven in 50.26. The race finals was slated for last night (Friday) at the Olympics stadium

It was also the same script for Nelly Nasimiyu in the women’s 1500m T12 heats on Thursday night ahead of the finals that is set for today (Saturday) evening.

Nasimiyu, together with her guide Richard Karuri were disqualified in round one of heat two which was won by Izaskun Ayicar of Spain in 4.49.99.Taonere Banda of Malawi was also disqualified in the heat one of round one in the event.

Likewise, it was also a sad day for Erick Kiptoo Sang and his guide Terer Bernard Kipkurui who were disqualified in the men’s 5000m T12 finals which was won by Samuel Kimani Mushai on Thursday evening.

Contacted, Kenya National Paralympics Committee Public Relations Manager Elyna Shiveka said that Sang’s disqualification was as a result of his guide crossing the finishing line ahead of him. “Under the International Paralympics Committee rules, athletes with running partners are supposed to cross the finish line ahead of their guides, if a guide crosses first then your competition is void,” noted Shiveka.

But all is not lost for Nzungi and Sang as they still have other categories to forage a medal from. Nzungi will be back on track next Friday to look for a medal in the tough 200m T12 category.

Sang will also try to redeem himself in the race to 1500m T11 race which he is gearing to battle Mushai and Wilson Bii who has already won Kenya a bronze medal (5000m T11) at the games.

Shiveka said she is hopeful that the mistakes done by the athletes would not be repeated as they look for medals in other categories.

Meanwhile, two other Kenyan athletes were set to take part in rowing and power lifting last evening.

Timoi Itaken was hopeful to represent the country well in rowing in the men’s single scull category while Gabriel Magu was set to feature for the country in the power lifting category.