Blind warrior’s sprint to success and fame

By Kiundu Waweru

Henry Wanyoike dramatically burst into the international limelight during the 2000 Sydney Paralympics games. With only 50 metres between him and the gold medal for the 5,000m race, his seeing guide ran out of breath and broke step with him. Wanyoike tugged him along, pulling on the tether cojoining them by the wrist. Spectators were mesmerised and some rushed to the track and shouting ecstatically, guided Wanyoike to the finishing line. He won his first gold medal a heartbeat away from breaking the world record.

Wanyoike and his wife Myllow who he met in a phone booth! Photo: Maxwell Agwanda