By Stafford Ondego
Friends, teammates and family swamped Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to welcome the triumphant Kenya team returning from the World Deaf Athletics Championships in Toronto on Monday night.
Team captain Baxton Cheruiyot Menjo, who won two gold medals in 800m and 1500m was delighted on arrival.
“As a captain, I was forced to work hard to win both races to serve as a good example to my teammates. My focus now is to continue working hard to improve on my time before participating in Deaflympics Championships in Bulgaria next month,” said Menjo.
Beryl Atieno, a gold and silver medallist in 200m and 100m sprint was proud of her achievement.
“I felt strong. I was in great form before the race started and I calculated my steps very well. After failing to achieve a gold in 100m dash, I knew it was my turn to make Kenya proud by winning gold 200m and I did it,” he said.
Daniel Kiptum, who won gold and led his teammates David Kipkogei, and Toroitich Peter in a 1-2-3 sweep in the 10,000m said it was very challenging for the team.
“We were running as Kenyans and brothers and it was very hard to defeat each other since all of us looked determined and went for the gold, but I wanted to be number one,” said Kiptum.
Joseph Lagat, father to gold medallist Daniel Kiptum, said he was happy for his son’s achievement. But he was expressed disappointed after event organisers declined to let his son double in 5000m race in which he broke the World Deaflympic record in Taipei.
“I didn’t watch my son race, but I want an explanation why he was disqualified from in the 5000m race. I had high hope that my son would break the World record in Canada again. I’m happy for what he got, but had he been given a chance to participate in the race and make an attempt to break the world record, I would be happier,” said Lagat.
Team Kenya Coach Caroline Kola said the championships were very tough.
“There are some sign languages, which they used that we didn’t understand. It was very sad to see all my three participants in 5000m disqualified for lack of good communication. We missed three medals,” said Kola.
