Daniel Kiptum led a podium sweep for Kenya in the half marathon as Kenya won 54 medals to top in the concluded inaugural Africa Deaf Athletics Championships at Moi Sports centre, Kasarani.
The hosts stamped authority, winning 20 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze in the 12 nations competition with Nigeria following in the second position with two gold, five silver and one bronze with eight medals.
Kiptum (69:14) led David Njeri (69:36) and Lucas Wanjiru Wandia (71:56) to victory to a 1-2-3 positions on Saturday to sign off the championships on a high note.
In 1,500m, John Koech won the title in 4:06:55 beating compatriot Kokobi Omari to second in 4:07:00 as Ethiopia’s Yemane Brahane completed the podium in 4:10:63 as Rega Asnaku won gave her all to win Ethiopia’s second gold medal in 4:35:24.
It was a big blow for Ugandan Senifer Nyakato who looked like she was headed for victory after leading in the entire race only to lose to Asnaku near the finish line and settle for silver in 4:35:88. Kenya’s Hannah Wanjiru emerged a distance third in 5:03:71.
Kenya redeemed herself in the men’s 4×100 and 4x400m finals, bagging gold medal in both races. In the 4×100, the hosts pulled a surprise when they beat Nigeria to gold, the West African nation, which is known to dominate short races, settled for silver, while Mauritius emerged third. In the 4x400m, Kenya won in 3:24:55, ahead of Nigeria and Algeria who timed 3:28:93 and 3:29:34 respectively.
Additional information Daily Nation