Simon Kibai leading the men’s 5000m during the National Trials.
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 3 – A team of 28 deaf athletes have been selected to represent Kenya in the third World Deaf Athletics Championships to be hosted in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria from June 25 to July 3.
The team was selected on Friday after two-day national deaf championships Trials held at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.
The team is expected to start training next week in preparation for the championships, with travel dates scheduled for the week of June 20.
The selected athletes include Beryl Wamira, Daniel Kiptum, Rebecca Matiko, Simon Kibai, Baxtone Menjo, David Wamira among others.
The athletes will participate in various races including 200m, 10,000m, 800m, 400m, 100m, 3000m Steeplechase, 1500m, 5000m and field events.
The world championships in Bulgaria are expected to help the deaf athletes prepare adequately for the 2017 Deaflympic Games in Turkey.
During the last edition of Deaflympic Games held in Sofia, Bulgaria 2013, Kenya performed well winning 17 medals (6 Gold, 5 Silver and 6 Bronze) to top Africa and was ranked eighth globally out of 72 countries.
-Selected team-
Anne Nasimiyu when competing at the National Trials.
Juster Kwamesa, Mercy Peyai, Ann Nasimiyu, Baxtone Menjo, Benson Otieno, Beryl Otieno, Daniel Kiptum, David Wamira, Evanson Ngure, Faith Mukami, Francis Rondi, Jacob Kibet, John Koech, Kelvin Waithaka, Kokobi Omari, Linet Wanjala, Lucas Wanjiru, Muthama Muema, Paul Simiyu, Peter Toroitich, Rael Achieng, Rebecca Matiko, Ruth Awuor, Saulo Mwanthi, Silvanus Oginga, Simon Kibai, Walter Malenje, David Ogogo
