Deaflympics: Why Hard-Hitting Golf Bronze Medalist Isaac Makokha Is Going For Nothing But Gold In Tokyo
Deaflympics golf bronze medalist Isaac Makokha ups his training at his Vet Lab Sports Club base ahead of the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics set for Japan on November 15-26. PHOTO/ KSFD
NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya deaf golf ace Isaac Makokha has declared that he is going for nothing but gold in the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics set for Japan on November 15-26.
The Vet Lab Sports Club hard hitter is confident to nestle the glittering medal following his recent stints on the fairways that have left his opponents in awe.
He has clearly shown his rivals dust on the greens as he sharpens his claws ahead of Tokyo, with recent victories being stroke play and match play championships, used to select the Kenya deaf golf team that is headed for the global showdown, where he beat some other 15 contestants during the national trials.
“I’m ready, very much ready for this mission. My body is responding well. I feel I will definitely convert the bronze won in Brazil three years ago into gold when I go to Tokyo,” Makokha told Standard Sports.
Deaflympics golf bronze medalist Isaac Makokha ups his training at his Vet Lab Sports Club base ahead of the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics set for Japan on November 15-26. PHOTO/ KSFD
The world number three is currently working on his tee-off shots, putts, swings and long drives to put his Tokyo mission in perfect control.
“I don’t want to go to Tokyo with other stones unturned. We are working on everything to ensure our homework is well done, I have trained and been training all year round preparing for the showdown,” said Makokha.
The recent victories on the fairways nestled by the 33-year-old hard hitter has buoyed Makokha to dream of the intended top podium finish.
Makokha will represent Kenya at the Tokyo showpiece alongside experienced duo of Adan Wario and Gilbert Alikula and teenage sensation Jacinta Njeri who will be making her debut in the Summer Games.
With less than two weeks remaining until the start of the Games, the Kenyan team has been fine-tuning its preparations at various golf clubs across Nairobi.
Addressing the press after the team’s training at Vet Lab Sports Club, Makokha said he is on fire and can’t wait for the Deaflympics to ‘tee-off.’
“I have practiced well. I feel my body is in shape, I’m optimistic that I will carry the day in Tokyo. I’m working on my confidence to help put all these into place,” Makokha said.
By clinching a bronze medal in his debut at the 2022 Deaflympics held in Brazil, the father of one made history as the first Kenyan deaf golfer to ever win a medal in the Summer Games.
Makokha won the bronze medal by beating German Guldan Nico by two ups. He lost to German John Allen who went on to lift the gold medal.
Makokha says he picked several lessons from the Brazil showdown, which he has since worked on thus his confidence to bag a gold medal this time around. He is exuding confidence to beat Allen in Tokyo.
“Allen is a strong opponent but I’m ready to face him head-on. I can manage to knock him out this time, because my body is on fire,” he asserted.
Makokha has singled out his triumph at the 2025 NCBA Railway Invitation Golf Tournament in September as one of the achievements that has fueled his confidence for a good showing in Tokyo. In that tournament, he floored abled-bodied golfers including title holder Michael Karanga.
Deaflympics golf bronze medalist Isaac Makokha ups his training at his Vet Lab Sports Club base ahead of the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics set for Japan on November 15-26. PHOTO/ KSFD
“I have participated in several tournaments and I have won several medals and trophies. The golfers in the ongoing Sunshine Development Tour- East Africa Swing series where I also take part in are very strong, I have learnt a lot from them and with that it has prepared me for Tokyo,” he said, singling-out his strength and flexibility as some of the areas he is also fine-tuning now.
Makokha has pointed out lack of equipment as one of the main challenges he is grappling with in the trade.
Also, as a deaf golfer, communication is another barrier while playing alongside hearing participants.
Meanwhile, Team Kenya deaf golf coach David Kihara has tipped Makokha to shine in Tokyo saying: “He has trained very well, competed in several tough tournaments and I think this time around he is ready to bring us something bigger than the bronze medal.”
The Kenya deaf golf team for Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics
Jacinta Njeri
Isaac Makokha
Gilbert Alikula
Adan Wario
