Kenyans bag more medals in Brazil.
Team Kenya captain and Steeplechase defending champion and Lucas Wandia led by example when he tore the Sesi Centro Esportivo Athletics track to win Kenya’s third gold medal in the ongoing Games.
The 33-year old led the Men’s 3000 steeplechase from the start to finish, winning with a timing of 9.19.27 seconds insisting he will not give up and plans to transition to 5000m track race.
Expressing his delight in the achievement, he went ahead and asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider increasing the Sh10million pledge since they are certain of winning more medals.
Peter Omari and Anne Wangeci were Kenya’s other medalists of the day, winning bronze in men’s and women’s steeplechase respectively.
Kenya’s hope for a 1-2 podium finish dashed away after Omari fell and German Alexander Bley closely following took the opportunity and won the silver in 9:25.86.
But with Omari determined to get a medal in the competition, he continued with the race despite having pain and finished third in a timing of 9:30.13.
With the women’s event having attracted only four entrants, hopes were high that Kenyans Wangeci and Sarah Wasike would deliver gold and silver medals.
But Finland’s Sara-Elise Ruokonen took the lead immediately with Emily Wilson of the United States closely following.
Kenyan athletes looked exhausted as they chased the leaders at a distance, before Wasike bowed out after a fall, leaving Wangeci to settle for bronze in 12:12.02.
Kenya however, remains the top African country in the medal rankings and currently sits 12th on the medal table with a total of 14 medals. 3 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze.
Tags: Deaflympics Caxias Do Sul Brazil
