Deaf Athletics: Chemurgor Sets New African Hammer Record As Kenya Continues With Medal Haul At Kasarani

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya continued with the medal haul at the ongoing second edition of Africa Deaf Athletics Championships at Kasarani, Nairobi, taking the gold tally to 15 on the third day on Wednesday evening.

The country swept the podiums in 5000m ( men and women), 800m (men and women), women’s hammer, and women’s discuss.

It was Libya that denied the hosts a clean sweep in men’s 400m hurdles which Kenya bagged gold and bronze.

The star of the day was Ruth Chemurgor from Kapsabet who threw 21.71m to break her own African and Championships hammer records, set in 2019, which stood at 20.60m.

“I’m happy to defend the title and set a new level to it, I’ll strive to continue bettering this result,” the Deaflympian told Standard Sports.

Chemurgor also had a 20.00m throw that won her gold in the women’s discuss.

Another record of the day was set in men’s hammer throw which was realized by Mohamed Mifta of Algeria who hurled a whooping 29.39m.

Soft-spoken Grancy Kandagor who ups her training in Kaptagat was peerless as she cruised to the tape in 19:18:08 to lift gold in the women’s 5000m.

The Deaflympian who is taking part in the African championships for the first time said her secret to the victory is her ability to train with the hearing athletes at her Eldoret base.

Kandagor won silver in women’s 1500m a day before she struck the glittering gold.

She also attributes her meteoric pace to the international exposure she got in Brazil last year where she won for Kenya bronze in both women’s 10000m and 5000m races.

Men’s 5000m contest at Kasarani went to Ian Wambui who clocked 15:17:41 to beat Peter Toroitich and team captain Lucas Wandia who won the men’s 10000m and 1500m in that order on Tuesday.

Sharon Bitok, who had earlier won gold in the women’s 1500m category, added another feather in her cup when she breezed to the tape in 2:19:55 to triumph in women’s 800m finals.

“These victories confirm that the future is bright for me if I continue to work hard,” Bitok stated.

Elikana Rono replicated his Deaflympics feat in Brazil last year by winning the hotly contested men’s 800m in 1:57:34.

Rono said his amazing information is due to the extra pieces of training he does away from what is given by his coaches.

After bagging gold in men’s 400m on Monday, Isaac Atima was at it again in men’s 400m hurdles which he won in 55.68.

“I realized my fierce competitor (Mohamed Naceur of Algeria) is very strong in hurdles so I decided to go toe to toe with him before stretching beyond my limit in the last 100m to defeat him,” said Atima who also won silver in men’s 110 hurdles on Tuesday.

UTILITIES

Africa Deaf Athletics Championships selected Day Three results

Women’s 800m

1. Sharon Bitok 2:19:55

2. Idah Odero 2:33:85

3. Winnie Barasa 2:34:60

Women’s 5000m

1.Grancy Kandagor 19:18:08

2.Serah Kimani 19:23:72

3.Juster Kwamesa 20:10:53

Women’s hammer

1. Ruth Chemurgor 21.71m

2. Monica Natui 18.35m

3. Flevian Ochieng 16.34m

Women’s discuss

1. Ruth Chemurgor 20.00m

2. Roselida Netia 19.85m

3. Rehema Pande 19.35m

Men’s 400m finals

1.Isaac Atima Tong’i 55.68

2.Mohamed Naceur 57.29, Algeria

3.George Muthee 57.60

Men’s 800m finals

1. Elikana Rono 1:57:34

2. John Koech 2:00:42

3.Jacob Kipkemoi 2:01:76

Men’s 5000m finals

1. Ian Wambui 15:17:41

2. Peter Wareng Toroitich 15:21:52

3. Lucas Wandia Wanjiru 15:30:26