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L. MathekaDeaflympics: Jeptarus bags women's 1500m silver
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 11.05.22. | 17:15
So far Team Kenya has10 medals in Brazil, all from Athletics.
Kenya added another silver to her medal tally on Tuesday night at the ongoing 24th Summer Deaflympics 2021 Games in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil.
The glittering performance was achieved by Sharon Jeptarus. The 24-year-old Iten-based athlete went head to head with other strong competitors from Europe in the opening lap.
She took command of the race in the remaining rounds until the final lap where she was eclipsed by Sydorenko of Ukraine after running out of breath, forcing her to settle for the silver in a time of 4.49.98. Sydorenko cut the tape in 4.49.31 while Mio Okada of Japan was third in 4.52.78.
"I am glad that the medal has come in my debut in the Deaflympics. We had strategized for the race with my compatriots but I felt I was not feeling well. So I decided to go much faster and alone to end the contest as soon as possible," she explained.
Jeptarus said the foul weather that engulfed the Sesi Centro Esportivo Athletics track in the night did not affect her performance in any way.
"I had acclimatized to the cold Brazilian weather by training at the freezing end of Karura Forest while doing my build-ups for the global championships back in Nairobi. I will now head for the women's 800m optimistic to win," she offered.
Well in Sharon Jeptarus for winning silver at the 24th Summer Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil.#Deaflympics2021 #KenyaShinesInBrazil #TeamKenyaDeaflympics pic.twitter.com/DIRyMYLqeO
— TeamKenyaDeaflympics (@TDeaflympics) May 10, 2022
Last year, Jeptarus took part in 1500m and 800m in the World Deaf Championships in Poland, finishing fourth and sixth respectively.
Meanwhile, Alice Atieno missed the women's javelin bronze medal by a whisker finishing fourth.
"I am happy with my performance. I have surprised myself with such a show," she said.
Her coach Carolyne Kola believes the athlete has great potential to go far in the future.
"Her initial throws were feeble, I was almost losing hope. Then she picked up the momentum and covered distances in the subsequent rounds which I could not actually believe. With government support and harnessing of talents from the grassroots, javelin can reach greater heights in Kenya," Kola said.
In the women's long jump, Anzazi Nyundo put Kenya on the global map on Tuesday evening by booking a berth in the final where she finished 6th.
"Nyundo has made me super proud. Reaching the final shows Kenya has great potential that is yet to be unearthed.
We can do better in fringe sports like the long jump," field coach Kola offered.
