Deaflympics : Government rewards Team Kenya for excellent performance in Brazil
By Ochiericks
The government has rewarded Team Kenya for the splendid performance in the 24th edition of the Summer Deaflympics in Brazil in May.
Each gold was rewarded with KSh 1 million, silver with KSh 750,000 and bronze KSh 500,000.
Kenya had a total of 24 medals of which 5 were gold, 7 were silver and 12 were bronze.
“The money will hit the athletes accounts as soon as possible,” Sports P.S Joe Okudo who presided over the award ceremony underlined.
The country ended the global games in 11th place, out of 78 nations that took part in the championships.
Kenya ranked top in Africa as Algeria, that finished 29th overall, scooped second place in the continent.
This performance surpassed that of last edition held in Turkey in 2017 (16 medals including 5 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze).
The performance was also the best ever since the country first took part in the championships in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1997.
About 22 of the Kenyan medals were reaped from athletics, on the track.
From the remaining two; one came from the field (javelin) and the other from golf.
“The weather was bad in Brazil but we are glad we did our best to bring the medals home,” Team Kenya captain Beryl Wamira said.
Team Kenya co-captain Lucas Wandia reiterated that the squad couldn’t have posted good results in Brazil without support of the government that took care of the team, both at home and away.
The Team Kenya Deaflympics Awards
Gold- KSh 1 million each
1.Men’s Steeplechase-Lucas Wandia Wanjiru.
2.Men’s 10000m-Simon Cherono Kibai.
3.Men’s 5000m-Simon Cherono Kibai.
4.Men’s 1500m- Ian Wambui Kahinga.
5.Men’s 800m- Elikana Kiprop Rono
Silver – KSh750,000 each
- Mix 4X400 Relay (George Waweru Muthee, Linet Fwamba Nanjala, Beryl Atieno Wamira and Isaac Atima Tongi).
- Men’s 10000m- Peter Toroitich.
- Women’s 10000m-Serah Wangari Kimani.
- Women’s 1500m- Sharon Jeptarus Bitok.
10.Men’s 5000m- Ian Wambui Kahinga.
11.Women’s 800- Sharon Jeptarus Bitok.
- Women 4×400 Relay (Beryl Atieno Wamira, Linet Fwamba Nanjala, Pamela Atieno Atieno, Sharon Bitok Jeptarus)
Bronze-KSh 500,000 each
13.Men’s 10000m- David Kipkogei.
- Women’s 10000m- Grancy Kendagor.
- Men’s Javelin- Kelvin Kipkogei.
- Women’s 400m – Linet Fwamba Nanjala.
- Men’s Golf- Isaac Ogolla Makokha.
- Men’s Steeplechase- Peter Omari Kokobi.
- Women’s Steeplechase- Ann Njoki Wangeci.
20.Women’s 200m- Beryl Atieno Wamira.
21.Women’s 4x100m Relay (Beryl Atieno Wamira,Rael Achieng Wamira, Anzazi Chaka Nyundo and Linet Fwamba Nanjala).
22.Women’s 800m -Rebecca Matiko.
23.Women’s 5000m -Grancy Kendagor.
24.Men’s 4x400m Relay (Simon Menza Gona, Charles Muthama Mwema, George Waweru Muthee, Isaac Atima Tongi).