Kenya Para athletics team scooped 12 medals to finish fourth as the last round of Rio Paralympic qualifier athletics came to end over the weekend in Marrakech, Morocco.
Kenya bagged five gold, four silver and three bronze medals in the event that attracted 20 countries. The gold medalists included Bernard Kosgei Kipng’etich (1500m T12), Misik Stanley Kipkoech (1500m T46), Stephen Wesonga (400m T47), Nancy Chelangat Koech (200m T11) and Irene Cherono Tanui (400m T46).
Silver medalists were Sylvia Olero Atieno (discuss F44), Wesley Sang Kimeli (400m T46), Henry Kiprono Kirwa (1,500m T12) and Bernard Kosgei Kipng’etich (5,000m T12) while Wesley Sang Kimeli, who bagged a double in the 1500m and 200m (T46) and Nancy Chelangat Koech (1,500m T11) won bronze.
According to officials, the team has qualified 14 athletes to the summer Paralympics to be held in Brazil, Rio-de Janeiro from August 31-September 21.
Only two athletes—John Njogu Nyagatanga (T-36 class) and James Murithi Mugo (F-56) failed to qualify.
Team manager John Tita said the two athletes did not qualify for Rio Paralympics as they were placed in wrong classes.
“Nyagatanga was raised to T-37 while in Morocco, a class that is higher than what he is used to while James Murithi Mugo was placed in F-57 from F-56, also a class higher than what he is used to. The two athletes have therefore not qualified for the summer Paralympics and we will appeal,” he said.
“It’s an amazing experience and I would like to thank to government and the ministry for their support. This is the first government that has taken Paralympians to three qualifying events,” said Tita upon arrival.