Kenyans begin their chase for Paralympic medals on Friday at London’s Olympic stadium with Samwel Mushai and Robert Tarus first on the track looking to qualify in the men’s 1500m T11.
Mushai who is visually impaired will have his guide James Boit in the first heat while Immanuel Kipkosgei and Robert Tarus(guide) will line up in the second heat at 1pm Kenyan time all looking to make September 3, final.
On Saturday, the double gold winner from Beijing Abraham Tarbei begins his Paralympic T46 1500m title defence with the qualifying race. He has opted to try the shorter race the 800m instead of the 5000m where he won his second gold four years ago.
Kenyan Stanley Cheruiyot and Jonah Chesum will race in the first of their two events the men’s 1500m T46 qualifiers before the 800m five days later. Sprinter Hannah Ngendo will also be in action on Saturday in the women’s 100m T12 first round.
Ng’endo will compete in the 100, 200 and 400m events. The only field competitor veteran Mary Nakhumicha could bag Kenya’s first Paralympic medal in London when she competes in the women’s shotput - F57/58 final also on Saturday.
Besides shotput she will compete in the Discuss and Javelin throw.
She won the javelin silver in Beijing.
The Kenyan team of 13 athletes are looking to surpass their nine gold medal haul(Five gold, three silver and one bronze) from Beijing, their most successful Games where Henry Kirwa won three titles.Kirwa will be in action in the 1500m T12 and 5000m T13.
Evelyn Watta
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