Triple Gold medalist from Beijing Kenyan Henry Kirwa booked his final slot in the men’s 1500m T12 alongside compatriot David Korir on the fourth day of the Athletics Paralympics competition in London.
Kirwa the Kenyan team captain qualified second in a personal best of 3:55.35 behind Moroccan El Amin Chentouf (3:52.77).
Interestingly, Korir crossed the line first ahead of Moroccan Tarik Zalzouli 3:52.96 Paralympic record while Zalzouli timed at 3:55.67.
The final will be run on Tuesday at the Olympic stadium. But that was a good warm up for Kirwa who will be looking to defend his Olympic 5000m title, possibly Kenya’s first Paralympic medal in London on Monday night at 10:00pm Kenyan time.
At 14:41.30 he will face stiff opposition from Chentouf winner of the qualifying race on Sunday and Spaniard Gustavo Nieves, the fastest of the field of nine runners.
Samwel Muchai will follow shortly in the men’s 1500m T11 final looking to improve on his silver medal from Beijing.
It was a bad day on track for sprinter Hannah Ng’endo who was disqualified from the third heat of the women’s 400m T12 race.
After missing qualified in the 100m dash she now has only the 200m on Thursday.
Sportsnewsarena Correspondent
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