Simon Kibai Cherono savours new status after victory in Deaflympics

Simon Kibai Cherono displays his medal collection on arrival from Sofia, Bulgaria, where the Deaflympics Games were held. PHOTO: MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Out of Africa there will always be something newer and faster, especially in middle distance and endurance terms.

Kenya’s production line has continued to churn out new stars likely to be faster than anything the world is likely to produce. Until last year, Simon Kibai Cherono was unknown, a green horn in track and field.

Like many athletes in Kenya, he was learning his skills, immersed in training hoping to emerge with a greatly enhanced reputation on the world stage. Well, Sofia in Bulgaria gave him that platform and he returned to Kenya a true legend, having won three medals — gold in the 10,000m, 5,000m and 1,500m races. He had conquered the world in just one season. Because of his feat, mobile phone services provider, Safaricom, will on Monday reward him with Sh3 million for the three gold medals.

The world had a first glimpse of the 24-year-old Cherono in 2012, when he competed at the World Championships in Toronto, Canada, winning silver in the 1,500m. Yet that was not an achievement to brag about on a team full of medallists.

But his feat in Sofia has seen his name hit the headlines. Cherono is not only a national champion but also a triple Deaflympics champion and a world record holder in the 5,000m (14:02.90). But his rise to fame has not been wrapped in silver lining.

“Nobody knew me early last year. I was just like any other Kenyan hustling in Nairobi,” says Cherono.

His turning point in life came when two things happened last year in February. First he was separated from his wife, leaving him disillusioned. In a bid to beat the seclusion he embarked on training where he met Deaflympics 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Lucas Wandia.

“He encouraged me to join Ruiru Prison Athletics Club where I started my training,” said Cherono.

“I was new to the game, I had no title and no experience. I was just starting serious practice. Unfortunately my wife was not patient; she didn’t share my vision, and she could not see any long-term benefits of athletics. She wanted instant results.

“But there is no way athletics can put food on your table all of a sudden; you must be patient,” Cherono recalls.

Because of the pressure, Cherono had to let his wife go.

“She was disrupting my training schedule, so we separated. I took our four-year-old son to stay with my mother in Sakamba, Nyahururu, and buried myself in training.”

Cherono’s meeting with Wandia was a blessing.

“We knew each other earlier. He introduced me to athletics in 2009 but I was never serious about it,” he said.

“We went our separate ways until last year when I bumped into him and he re-introduced me to athletics.”

Cherono’s breakthrough came in July 2012, after he made it to the national team for the World Deaflympics Championships in Toronto, Canada. He won Kenya silver in the 1,500m race in Canada, his first medal in the national and international arenas.

“This encouraged me. It boosted my morale. I said I am capable of conquering the world only if I believe in myself.”

With his focus on the Summer Deaflympics Games in Sofia, nothing could stop him. Cherono went on to smash the 5,000m world record in Sofia. He also won gold in 1,500m and set a championship record in 10,000m at the games that ended last Sunday.