Kenya settles for bronze as former world record holder finishes third in 1,500m T13

Kenya's Wilson Bii, with his guide Benard Korir compete in the Men's 1500-meter - T11 Round 1 event of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. (Al Tielemans/OIS, IOC via AP)

Former triple world record holder and Kenya’s most decorated paralympian Henry Kirwa settled for bronze in men’s 1500m T13 finals at the Paralympics games in Rio, Brazil.

Kirwa, who had a torrid performance in London four years ago, set a personal best of 3:49.59 to win the medal late Sunday night.

The race was won by Abdellatif Baka of Algeria, who in the process smashed the world and Paralympics record in 3:48.29.

Tamiru Demisse of Ethiopia beat Kirwa to silver by a second after he chested the tape in 3:48.49 to also set his personal best.

“I had high hopes of emerging the champion. I thought I would replicate what I did in Beijing eight years ago, but this was not to be as the race became competitive and the best won,” said Kirwa.

Apart from the medallists, five other athletes also set personal best marks in the race held at the Olympics Stadium. Bilel Hammami from Tunisia was the only one disqualified on grounds of lane infringement.

Kirwa is now the third athlete to win Kenya a medal at the ongoing games after Samuel Kimani Mushai (gold) and Wilson Bii (silver) in the men’s 5000m T11 category last week.

At the same time, Mushai and Bii cruised to the final of the men’s 1500m T11 to be run tonight.

Mushai showed class as he once again beat fiercest rival and home boy Santos Odair to the tape in 4:04.50. Odair led for the most part of the race while being buoyed by a home crowd at the stadium, but Mushai worked out a clever finishing kick that saw him bag the round one heat with ease.

Odair, guided by Eriton Nascimento finished second in 4:05.34 while Semih Deniz of Turkey was third in 4:11.75.

 

FAVOURITE RACE

Mushai, who is the race world and Paralympics record holder, said nothing would stop him from retaining the titles in Rio.

“This is my favourite race and I have done all I can to ensure I retain the crown. I have held extra sessions and have ensured my fitness is beyond doubt. What now remains is to do the necessary on the track tomorrow,” said Mushai.

Bii also successfully qualified for the 1500m T11 finals after he topped his round one, heat three with a personal best of 4:13.20.

Darwin Castro of Ecuador and Luis Sandoval of Peru also set their personal bests in the same heat.

A total of five athletes were disqualified from the race on grounds of lane infringements.

Bii was hopeful that he and Mushai would hatch a plan that will see them bring back home the top medals in tonight's final.

At the same time, Nancy Chelagat was yesterday evening (Monday) poised to take the plunge in the women’s 200m T11 heats and semis.