Deaflympics: Kenya bags marathon silver to conclude successful outing in Tokyo
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 25.11.25. | 12:30
The first runners-up finish took country's medal tally to 15 - five gold, six silver and four bronze
Kenya on Tuesday, 25 November, added to her medal tally at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics after bagging silver in the men's marathon.
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The final medal for the country went to veteran athlete David Kiptum Kipkogei, who fended off leg cramps to finish second on the Tokyo Expressway in a time of 2:17.30.
Kipkogei, 46, had been in the leading pack all through the race, but was usurped with only two kilometers to go by Sweden’s Otto Kingstedt, who claimed the gold medal in 2:16.10. Colombia’s Jose Libardo took bronze in 2:23.50.
The medal was Kipkogei's second at this year's Deaflympics, following his other silver medal at the men’s 10,000m last week.
Most importantly, his performance earned Kenya yet another medal in the Games, taking the country's tally to 15 - five gold, six silver and four bronze.
“I would like to thank God because this is my first time participating in the marathon at the Deaflympics and I have won a silver medal,” Kipkogei said after the grueling race that started with biting cold and intervals of morning showers.
“My goal was to get a gold medal but I experienced some leg cramps. I still pushed myself, and I am happy that I got a silver."
Personal accolades aside, Kenya's quest of reclaiming marathon glory went unquenched for another edition, with the last gold coming in Samsun, Turkey in 2017.
Kipkogei's teammate in Tuesday's marathon - Peter Toroitich - could not upgrade on his silver as he faded at the 30km mark with what looked to be a hamstring injury, forcing him to exit the race.
The women's marathon was a similar toil for Kenya, after both Serah Kimani and Grancy Kandagor failed to complete the race.
Despite the disappointment of not dominating the races, Kenya’s deaf athletics coach, Samuel Kibet, said he was happy with the performance of his athletes.
“Because we missed the marathon in the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil, I am seeing the silver we have won as a good comeback, and we want to pray that in the next Deaflympics, we are going to do much better,” he said.
