Kenyans Win Six Gold Medals as Deaflympics Games End in Bulgaria

Views on BG | August 5, 2013, Monday // 18:25

The Star

Simon Cherono led a 1-2-3 finish in the 5000m as the Deaflympics Games came to a close on Saturday night in Sofia, Bulgaria.

There was also a Baxtone Menjo-led 1-2-3 podium sweep in the men’s 3000m steeplechase on a night that saw Kenya extend their tally to six gold five silver and five bronze medals.

Cherono’s time 14.02.90 was a new world record after lowering the earlier mark of 14:31.68 set by compatriot David Kiptum at the 2009 edition in Taipei.

Kiptum took silver in a personal best of 14.26.91 while Michael Letting bagged the bronze medal in 14.43.72.

Breyl Wamira also won Kenya a gold medal in the 200m race with a new world junior record time 24.46. She was followed by Golovina Ksenia of Russia 24.80 while Tsiarentsyeva Alena of Belarus was third in 25.12. Baxtone Menjo won bronze in the 800m in a time of 1:53.24.

Kenya had sent two teams—athletics and basketbal - but the basketball team found the going tough, crashing out of the competition in the preliminary stage.

Kenya finished the competition with six gold, five silver and five bronze medals to stand at position eight in the world but top in Africa.

Russia emerged top with 60 gold, 48 silver and 55 bronze medals followed by Ukraine (20, 26, 29), Korea (18, 11, 11), China (12, 5, 8) and Belarus (11, 11, 4).

By winning three gold medals, Cherono is set to take home Sh6m on his return to the country following Safaricom’s cash pledge of Sh1m and the government’s incentive of a similar amount for each gold won. The mobile service provider pledged Sh1m for gold, Sh600,000 for silver and Sh300,000 for a bronze medal. This is in addition to the government’s pledge of Sh1m for a gold medal, Sh750, 000 for silver and Sh500,000 for bronze medal.

Others who are primed for a big payday are Kiptum who won a gold, two silver and a bronze medal as well as Menjo (gold, silver and bronze) and Peter Toroitch (two silver medals).

Kenya’s medal winners— Gold: Cherono Simon (10,000m, 1,500m and 5,000m), Daniel Kiptum (Marathon), Beryl Wamira (200m), Baxtone Menjo (3,000m Steeplechase);

Silver: Daniel Kiptum (10,000m and 5000m), Peter Toroitich (Marathon), Baxtone Menjo (1500m), Lucas Wanda (3000m Steeplechase)

Bronze: David Kiptum (10,000m), Matiko Rebecca (1,500), Baxtone Menjo (800m), Michael Letting (5,000m), Peter Toroitich (3000m Steeplechase).

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Tags: Deaflympics, games, Bulgaria, Kenya, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, China, Belarus

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