Kenya pockets two medals in Bulgaria Deaflympics

Kenya kicked off the World Deaf Athletics with two medals in the first day of the contest in Stara Zaragoza, Bulgaria despite delayed start.

Lucas Wanjiru, the runners up of 3000m steeplechase in Sofia 2013 and Baxtone Menjo, the World Record Holder, clinched Gold and Silver medals respectively in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

Lucas dominated from start to finish clocking 9.15.32 while Menjo finished in the second position 9.24 seconds later with Poland’s Rafael Nowak finishing third.

Kenya could have bagged a bronze medal in the event but Jocob Kibet’s win was cancelled for lack of hearing attachments.

In the 200m women semi-finals, Rebecca Matiko emerged fifth as David Wamira finished fourth in the men’s category.

Baxton Menjo failed to defend the men 1500m title he won at the 2012 World Deaf Athletics Championships in Toronto, Canada after missing the qualifiers on Monday since the national  team was still enroute to Bulgaria.

Team Kenya Captain, Daniel Kiptum, triple Deaflympics Champion Simon Kibai and 2012 silver medalist Peter Toroitich are some high profile competitors who were affected by the team’s inability to get to the championships on time.

Kenya has so far missed the marathon, 1500m semi-finals, 100m heats, 400m heats and 10,000m final for men as well as the women’s 400m semi-final and 10,000m finals.

The remaining events include 200m men final, 5,000m and 800m both male and female on Saturday.

Kenya finished fourth during the last edition held in Toronto in 2012 with a total of 10 medals – (four gold, four silver and two bronze) out of the 32 participating nations.

Report by Edward Mokuah