Kenya Claim First Medal at 2011 IPC Athletics World Champs

Kenya picked up the first gold medal, on friday- the opening day of day of the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christ Church,New Zealand. 

Kenya's Abraham Tarbei took the first gold of the Championships with victory in a thrilling Men's 5,000m T46 final.  The 24 year old outpaced Ethiopia's Wondiye Fikre Indelbu in the final straight to claim first place with a time of 14:48.29.  Indelbu recorded 14:48.48 and his teammate Tesfalem Gebru Kebede took bronze with 14:53.32.

Kenya is represented by  team  of 11 athletes, 3 guide runners and 6 officials will represent the country at the global event which will serve as the qualifier for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. The championships runs from January 22 to 30.

Full team:

Abraham Tarbei – T46 1500m/ 5000m

Stanley Cheruiyot – T46 1500m/5000m

Henry Kirwa – T12 1500m/500m

Samuel Muchai – T11 800m/1500m

Emmanuel Cheruiyot – T11 1500m/5000m/10000m

Francis Thuo - T11 5000m

John Pyeko - T12 1500m/10000m

Henry Nzungi – T13 100m/200/400m

Nelly Munialo – T12 1500m

Hanah Ng'endo – T12 200M/Long jump

Mary Nakhumicha – Shot put/Discus/Javelin

Jared Okemwa – guide

Robert Tarus – guide

James Kuria – guide

John Kariuki – coach

Albert Korir – coach

Rose Waruhiu – coach/chaperone