14 track and field athletes have qualified to represent Kenya in the Paralympic games to be held in Brazil, Rio-de janerio from August 31- September 21, 2016.
The athletes returned home on Tuesday after competing in the week long nternational Paralympic Committee, IPC, qualifying event in Morocco that was held from May 1-8.
Bernard Koskei Kipng’etich was the star perfomer of the team of 16 winning gold in the T12 category over the 1500m and silver in the 5000m.
The other gold medal winners were Stanley Kipkoech in theT-46(1500m) and sprinters Stephen Wesonga, T-47(400m),Nancy Chelang’at T-11(200m) and Irene Cherono in theT-46(400m).
Wesley Sang clinched three medals, a silver in the T46 in the 400m and two bronze in 200m and 1500. Henry Kirwa a former Paralympic 1500m champion who captained the Kenya team to London won silver in the T12 over the same distance.
However there is barely time to celebrate their qualification as the Kenya Paralympic committee headed by Agnes Flora Oluoch has to embark on a vigorous campaign to raise funds to send the team to Brazil.
“We need to train harder with abled bodied athletes, I suggest this camp in preparation for Rio to be taken to Iten,”said Kirwa who won a gold medal in the men's 1500 metres - T13 event, a gold medal in the men's 5000 metres - T13 event and a gold medal in the men's 10000 metres - T12 event at the 2008 games.
Kenya was ranked 4th of the 20 competing nations.
List of Medalists: Gold medalists:Bernard Koskei Kipng’etich,T-12-1500 m 2.Stanley Kipkoech, T-46,500m,Stephen Wesonga,T-47,400m,Nancy Chelang’at Koech,T-11,200m, Irene Cherono Tanui,T-46,400m
Silver medalists:Sylvia Olero Atieno,F-44,Discuss throw,26.70m 2.Wesley Sang’,T-46,.400m,Henry Kiprono Kirwa,T-12,1500m ,Bernard Kipng’etich Koskei,T-12,5000m Bronze medalists:Wesley Sang’,T-46,1500m, Wesley Sang’,T-46,200m, Nancy Chelang’at ,T-11,15,000m.
