Kenyan athletes continued their strong showing at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics on Friday, with seven competitors booking places in their respective finals. Newly crowned gold medallists Ian Wambui and James Musembi led the way as Kenya pushed its medal tally to seven.
Wambui and Musembi, who have already struck gold in the 10,000m and 1,500m respectively, progressed to the men’s 5,000m final after dominating their heat at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium.
Wambui, who opened Kenya’s medal account earlier in the week with a 29:19.63 victory in the 10,000m, won the heat in 14:59.65. Musembi followed closely in 14:59.99.
Nelson Kipkorir also advanced after finishing second in heat one in 15:28.19, just behind Iraqi winner Aws Mohammed.
Wambui, a silver medallist in the same event in Brazil in 2022, said he remains focused on gold and a world record. “Team Kenya is one, and I’m not worried about the competition from Musembi. James and I have a strategy to help each other get the best time. My goal is to get the world record,” he said.
Musembi echoed his confidence: “We will be running again, and the plan is to kill them all. I will get a medal.”
The 5,000m final is scheduled for Monday at 3:10 pm local time (9:10 am Kenyan time).
Team captain Isaac Atima also reached the men’s 400m hurdles final after finishing second in his heat in 54.91.
“Previously, the people I competed against had beaten me, so it gave me a lot of fear. I’m very excited to have beaten them,” said Atima, who helped Kenya secure bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay earlier in the week.
In the women’s long jump, Rael Wamira advanced with a personal best of 5.03m and will compete in Monday’s final. “This is my first time in the long jump final, so I’m very excited. I believe I can get a medal. I want to get to at least the six-metre mark,” she said.
In the men’s javelin, Hillary Kipkorir (50.58m) and Stephen Okoth (49.66m) progressed to Sunday’s final.
Coach Samuel Kibet praised the team’s efforts and expressed confidence in more podium finishes. “Our players have done well, from those in the javelin to those on the track. Their impressive performance has given us hope of adding to our medal tally,” he said.
by ANGWENYI GICHANA
