Sang to fight for 1500m T11 gold after appeal

Kenya’s Eric Sang competes in the Men’s 1500m T11 semi-final Heat 2 with the help of his guide David Korir during the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium on Monday, August 30, 2021. [Team Kenya Paralympics]

Erick Sang will launch Kenya’s final push for a gold medal when he takes to the track today in the men’s 1500m T11 final.

Team Kenya Paralympics found the going tough at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Nancy Chelengat Koech bronze medal in 1500m T11 yesterday the only accolade in the safe.

All eyes will be on Sang, whose passage to the final needed an appeal after his guide David Korir was tripped by a Brazilian challenger sending the visually impaired athlete crashing on the advertising boards.

Guide Korir came off the crash bleeding on his thighs and heel following the tumble.

The Kenyan duo, however, braved the mishap to cross the finish line thus offering them a fighting chance for an appeal.

Sang described the crash as unfortunate, but that it happens in such competitions.

“I was feeling good and eager to go. I still have this feeling that I will get a medal, if I proceed to the finals,” Sang said when he was informed that Kenya National Paralympics Committee (NPC) would appeal. Indeed, KNPC led by its Secretary General Elijah Aliero successfully lodged Sang’s case.

“The video was reviewed and it was found that Sang’s guide (David Korir) was tripped from behind thus resulting to the fall,” Aliero told Standard Sports.

“We wish the team the best of luck in the final,” Aliero added.

Kenya’s other representative Wilson Bii was disqualified for violating the Rule 6.15.4b of Paralympics.