Deaflympics: Kenya out to secure first medals as athletics begin
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 17.11.25. | 11:15
The country's quest will be led by reigning silver medalist Ian Kahinga in the 10,000m
Kenya will aim to bag the first medal at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics on Monday, 17 November, when the athletics events begin at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium.
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Two events involving Kenyans will play out, including the men’s 10,000 meters, and 4x400m relay finals.
Reigning Deaflympics men's 1500m gold medalist and 5,000m silver medalist Ian Wambui Kahinga will lead Kenya's charge in the 21-man field, joined by newcomer Peter Rutto and veteran and former champion David Kipkogei.
Wambui, 24, qualified for the Tokyo Games after winning the trials held in September at Ulinzi Sports Complex, clocking 30:46.5.
Rutto came second in 30:47.5, ahead of Kipkogei, who timed 30:47.9.
Victory for Wambui in the race will mark a perfect start in his quest for a historic triple at the Games.
He will also be out to defend his 1,500m title later in the week, and upgrade his 5,000m silver medal from Brazil to gold.
“I won gold in 1500m in Brazil two years ago and silver in 5000m, and now I am aiming for another medal bracket in the 10000m. I want all three golds in my cabinet,” Kahinga said of his ambition.
“I trained with some of my hearing friends, who challenged me to be better in the sport,” the Nyahururu-based athlete added. “I also did some marathons and cross-country running to up my game.”
Kipkogei, 46, is also a man to watch, as he clinched a bronze medal at the previous Deaflympics held in Caxias do Sul, Brazil in 2022.
In the 4x400m mixed relay, Kenya’s captain Isaac Atima will hope to lead by example by steering the team to a podium finish.
The other members of the relay contingent are Linet Fwamba, Beryl Wamira, and Simon Menza.
Atima was among the Kenyan quartet who won a bronze medal in the race at the Deaflympics held in Brazil.
Atima was also among the Kenyan quartet who clinched bronze medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Games in Brazil.
In Tokyo, he will also compete in the men’s 400m and 400m hurdles.
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