Paralympic medallists Samuel Mushai and Nancy Chelangat dominated the athletics trials for the Paris Paralympic Games at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium on Friday.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has given Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC) three more additional slots in para athletics occasioning the trials in men’s 5,000m T11, 5,000m T13 and women’s 1.500m T11.
IPC gave two slots for men and one for women making it six the number of athletes that will compete in athletics at the Paris Paralympic Games scheduled from August 28 to September 8 in the French capital.
However, the KNPC head of technical Joseph Ochieng clarified that his committee’s board will sit in the course of next week to fill the slots based on the results from the trials.
Three para athletes who have already punched their ticket to the Paris Paralympics also competed at the trials; Wesley Sang (Men’s 1,500m T46), and 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games bronze medallist Nancy Chelangat and Mary Waithera.
“We allowed them to compete to push their colleagues to make the time,” said Ochieng.
Mushai, the 2016 Rio Olympics 5,000m T11 and 2012 London Olympics 1,500m T11 gold medallist, easily won the 5,000m T11 with ease, clocking 15 minutes and 51.4 seconds.
Mushai, who has positioned himself for his fifth appearance at the Paralympic Games, edged out Eric Sang and Wilson Bii to second and third places in 16:36.8 and 17:38.7 respectively.
“It’s my dream to make it to my fifth Paralympic Games and I hope lady luck will smile on me. I didn’t perform well in Tokyo because I was coming from a nagging injury,” said Mushai, who is currently training with the middle and distance athletes in Nandi.
“God has been good to me. I don’t take it for granted. I call for his mercy and good health, hoping to get the slot and make history in Paris,” explained Mushai, who hopes to make history as the first Kenyan to compete at the Paralympic five times.
Mushai competed in the 1,500m and 5,000m T11, but failed to make the podium in Tokyo.
Lokedi made his case known when he won the men’s 5.000m T13 event in 15:35.8 while competing alongside those in the 5,000m T11.
“It’s my dream to make it to the Paralympics for the first time and it’s my hope that I have stated my case,” said Lokedi, who finished fourth in the category at the World Para-Athletics Championships last month in Kobe, Japan last month.
Chelangat guided by Geoffrey Rotich blew Waithera and Prisca Jepkemoi to win the 1,500m T11 in 5:02.0 as the duo guided by James Boit and Kenneth Lagat respectively settled second and third in 5:05.4 and 5:10.9.
With Chelangat and Waithera having punched their tickets to Paris, it presents Jepkemoi with a good opportunity but it’s the KNPC board to decide.
“I keep my fingers crossed hoping for the best. I know I have done my best and I shall qualify for Paris,” said Jepkemoi.
Sang, Chelangat and Waithera are part of the 12 para athletes that have so far qualified for the Paris Paralympic Games. There are six from athletics, two from cycling, two from taekwondo, from powerlifting and one rowing.
Others who have qualified: Dedan Ireri Maina and Kennedy Ogada (cycling), Stacy Neema and Julieta Moipo (taekwondo), Asiya Sururu (rowing) and Hellen Wawira (powerlifting).
Kenya National Paralympic Committee athletics trials results
Men’s 5,000m T11
- Samuel Mushai 15:51.4 (Guide-Jean Kipchumba)2. Eric Sang 16:36.8 (Guide- Andrew Ndiema)
- Wilson Bii 17:38.7( Guide-Vincent langat)
Men’s 5,000m T13
- John Lokedi 15:35.8
Men’s 1,500m T46
- Wesley Sang 4:03.8
- Evans Ruto 4:08.5
Women’s 1,500m T11
- Nancy Chelangat 5:02.0(Guide Geoffrey Rotich)
- Mary Waithera 5:05.4 (James Boit)
- Prisca Jepkemoi 5:10.9( Kenneth Lagat)
