Deaf top golfer Isaac Makokha is among nine nominees selected for the Sportsman of the Year Award (SOYA) Sportsman with Disability category.
Makhoha, a Vet Lab Sports Club player made history by winning Kenya’first-ever golf medal at the Summer Deaflympics Games in Brazil in May 2022.
He managed to seal the bronze medal after edging German Guldan Nico in a thrilling third-place play-off at the Caxias Golf Club.
Makokha will however face stiff opposition from top track and field persons with disabilities athletes, including Double Deaflympics champion Simon Kibai, 1500m Deaflympics champion Ian Wambui, 3000m steeplechase Deaflympics gold medallist Lucas Wandia among others.
Star athlete Wilson Bii has also made the cut after winning a gold medal in the T11/12 1500m race in 4 minutes 22.62seconds.
Lucas Wandia served as the overall team Kenya captain at the 24th Deaflympics in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil, as he successfully defended the 3000m steeplechase title after timing 9 minutes 29.27 seconds.
His counterpart Ian Wambui Kahinga, won the 1500m gold and silver in 5000m. Kahinga clocked 3.55.54 ahead of Jaime Morga of Spain (3.56.18) and Alexander Blei of Germany (3.57.10).
The SOYA Gala will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi and has attracted the support of the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC), Lotto Foundation, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Safaricom PLC.
SOYA Sportsman With Disability Nominees:
Isaac Makokha – Golf
Rodgers Kiprop -Athletics
Wesley Sang – Wheelchair Javelin
Wilson Bii – Athletics
James Mangerere – Wheelchair Javelin
Lucas Wandia – Athletics
Ian Wambui – Athletics
Simon Cherono – Athletics
Elikana Kiprop – Athletics