Team of 13 athletes and four coaches has arrived in Kobe, Japan, ready for the World Para Athletics Championships scheduled for May 17 to 25
The team of nine men and four women that had three guides left the country on Saturday in two batches.
The event in Kobe is the final qualifier in athletics for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games scheduled for August 28 to September 8 in the French capital.
Only three athletes have qualified for the Paris Paralympics – Nancy Chelangat (1,500 T11), Kenya’s sole medallist from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Mary Waithera (1,500 T11) and Wesley Sang (1,500 T46).
“Everyone has put their best foot forward in training and I am confident we shall qualify more for the Paris Games,” said the team captain Brian Esogon, who will compete in the 400m T12.
Esogon thanked the government for facilitating the trip, adding that his charges are fully motivated.
If successful, it will be the first time Esogon will be competing at the Paralympics but it is his second appearance at the world championships after the 2024 Paris where he competed in long jump.
“I saw I had potential in the 400m owing to my power and long strides. I have also been posting good times in training,” said Esogon, who is undertaking teaching at the Mosoriot Teachers College, Nandi.
Esogon said qualifying for the Paris Paralympics will mean for him since he will have lifted the country’s flag high. “Of course the money I will get in allowances will enable me to ease the college fees burden for my parents,” said Esogon, 25, who lost his vision at the age of seven.
Visually impaired two-time Paralympic champion Samuel Mushai will be hoping to qualify and make his fifth Paralympics appearance.
Mushai, who lost his sight at the age of nine after an illness, has three medals from the Paralympics; two gold in 1,500m (T11) from 2012 London and in 5,000m (T11) from 2016 Rio, and silver in 1,500m (T11) from 2008 Beijing.
“I’m very hopeful as we set out for the competition. I’ve had a good opportunity and an ample time to do my training. Preparations have been smooth hence we hope for the best,” said Mushai, who will be competing in the 5,000m (T11).
“We thank God for the far since our preparations in Nandi were smooth. We are ready as a team to stage a good performance and raise our country’s flag high,” said Mushai who called on Kenyans to pray for them.
Priscah Jepkemei, who is making her debut in the championships, is hopeful to make it from her 1,500m (T11) event. “We have had a good training in Nandi and I love the team work and spirit,” said Jepkemei.
Also going to Kobe is visually impaired athlete Eric Sang, who hopes to make it for the Paralympics for the second time, having reached the final in the 1,500m T11 in 2020 Tokyo to finish sixth.
Coach Steven Wesonga is confident that Esogon and Samson Opiyo Ojuka, who will compete in 200m and Long Jump T37, will secure medals and places at the Paris Paralympics.
“Ojuka managed 5.70m in long jump during the Kenya Defence Forces Championships this week, a distance that can earn him a medal in Kobe,”explained Carolibne Kola.
Team for World Para Athletics Championships, Kobe, Japan
WOMEN
1. Sheila Wanyonyi (Javelin F13)
2. Sylvia Olero Atieno (Discus Throw F64)
3. Nelly Sile Jeptoo (Javelin F56)
4. Priscah Jepkemei (1,500 m T11- Guide Kenneth Lagat)
Men
1. Vincent Mutai Kiprono (Long Jump T47)
2. Rajab Chetty (Shot Put F11)
3. Nathan Kemboi (Javelin F46)
4. Samson Opiyo Ojuka (200m, Long Jump T37)
5. Brian Esogon (400m T12)
6. Evans Ruto (1,500m T46)
7. John Lokedi (1,500m, 5,000m T13)
8. Samuel Muchai (5,000m T11- Guide Jean Kipchumba)
9. Eric Sang Kiptoo (1,500m, 5,000mT11- guide Andrew Ndiema)
Coaches
Joseph Lomong, Steven Wesonga, Caroline Kola, Joseph Musonic
