This archive report was first published on 24 August 2021.
On August 24, 2021, the Tokyo Olympic Stadium witnessed a spectacular display of unity and determination as Team Kenya Paralympics marched into the venue for the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Led by captain Rodgers Kiprop and powerlifter Hellen Wawira, the team was accompanied by Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who graced the occasion.
This marked Kenya's 12th appearance at the Paralympic Games, dating back to their debut in Heidelberg, Germany in 1972. The team consisted of nine athletes, including seven in athletics, a para rower, and a powerlifter, all vying to fly the Kenyan flag high.
The event took place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which had forced a one-year delay in the Games. The Paralympic Games, like the Olympics, were being held under strict health protocols to ensure the safety of all participants.
Kenya has a rich history of success in the Paralympics, having won three gold medals, a silver, and two bronze at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016. The team's most decorated athlete, Henry Kirwa, who has four gold medals and two bronze, served as the head coach of the Team Kenya at the 2020 Games.
Kenya holds Paralympic records for the visually impaired in several events, including the 1,500m T11, 5000m T11, 5000m T12, and 10,000m T11.
The 29-year-old powerlifter, Wawira, will be the first Kenyan in action on Thursday, 7am East Africa time.
