By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya’s Ian Wambui Kahinga is the new men’s 10000m Deaflympics champion.
The 24-year-old Nyahururu-based runner scooped gold medal on Monday at the ongoing 2025 Summer Deaflympics after storming to victory in 29:19.56 at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium.
His compatriot and former champion David Kipkogei claimed the silver medal in 29:27.63 while Chinese Xu Kuantian won the bronze medal after finishing third in 30:04.83.
It was a memorable day with further success in the 4x400m Mix Relay where the quartet of Isaac Atima, Linet Fwamba, Beryl Wamira, and Simon Menza claimed the silver medal in 3:40.05, behind champions Ukraine. Colombia finished third to settle for bronze.
Speaking after his victory in men’s 10,000m, Wambui said though he was confident of winning a medal in the race, he was not entirely sure that he would clinch the gold medal.
He noted that the race felt relatively easy for him and he hoped to break the record held by three-time champion Symon Kibai, who did not make the squad for this edition of the Games.
“I enjoyed my run. It was just like a normal day. I thank God for the win and I hope that as Team Kenya, we will continue to do better in other races that are yet to come,” said Wambui.
The victory, he said, has motivated him to chase for a three-peat in the competition. Apart from seeking to defend his title in the 1,500m men, Wambui will also be out to upgrade the men’s 5000m silver he won at the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil to gold.
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“I’m also gunning for the gold medal in the 1,500m and 5, 000m. I’m strong and motivated,” added Wambui.
Kipkogei, who won a gold medal in the race in the 2009 edition held in Taipei, Taiwan said he was delighted to win a silver medal. He had clinched a bronze medal at the previous Games in Brazil.
“I have done my best and I’m very happy about it. I know that I am a bit aged but I’m happy I can compete in these races and win medals,” said the 46-year-old Kipkogei as he ruled out any possibility of retiring soon. He shifts his attention to the men’s marathon where he has set his sights on clinching a gold medal.
In the 4x400m mixed relay, Kenya were beaten by Ukraine’s Dmytro Rudenko, Solomiia Kuprych, Serhii Drach and Kristina Kiniaaikina, who timed 3:33.91. The bronze medal went to Colombia where Roberto Mosquera, Guerrero Garces Diego Alvarez and Beltran Matinez clocked 3:40.65 to finish third.
Earlier in the men’s 400m heats, Atima and Menza sailed through to the semi-finals after finishing first in both heats four and six respectively. Both athletes timed 50.70.
