Long wait for Kenya to win a medal at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan came to an end today when siblings Nancy Chelangat Koech, guided by her brother Geoffrey Kiplangat won bronze.
The siblings won the 1,500m T11 bronze behind Mexico’s Monica Olivia Rodriquez Saavedra who won gold in a world record 4:37.40 ahead of South Africa’s Louzanne Coetze settled for silver in 4:40.96 with Chelangat’s bronze coming in 4:45.58.
The category (T11) is meant for athletes with visual impairment as “Chela” and “Kip” gave the nation a medal.
She had added a bronze medal to the silver she won over the distance at the Rio 2016 Games in her current personal best 4:42.12.
“It was a tough race,” Kiplangat explained.
“I saw ‘Chela’ was tiring and I told her to be strong because we needed to save Team Kenya,” he added, alluding to the fact that in the run-up to their race, Kenya was yet to win a medal at these Games.
“I told her we must get any medal.