This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
On July 25, 2019, the Safaricom National Deaf Track & Field Championships Trials kicked off at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with a thrilling display of athletic prowess by Kenya's young deaf athletes.
Hannah Wanjiru, a 16-year-old prodigy, stole the show by winning the 5000M women's race with a time of 19:37.7, leaving Juster Kwamesa and Laureen Ngonga in her wake with times of 20:13.4 and 20:40.4, respectively.
Wanjiru's impressive performance was matched by Martin Gachie, who won the 5000M men's category with a time of 14:49.0, tied with Omari Kokobi. Peter Toroitich came in third with a time of 15:03.2.
"I thank God for giving me the opportunity to represent Kenya. It's my first time ever, and I'm glad Safaricom supported the deaf community to prepare for the African Championships in September. We promise to make Kenya proud," said Martin Gachie.
Other winners of the day included Hannah Wakonyo in the 800M women's race, John Koech in the 800M HT1 men's race, Jacob Kibet in the 800M men's HT2, and Damaris Wangari, Roselida Neita, Denis Kiprop, and Francis Randi in their respective events.
The two-day trials will conclude on July 26, 2019, with the Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) selecting teams to represent the country at the first Africa Deaf Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Kenya from September 16 to 22, 2019.
Kenya currently holds Deaflympic titles in the 1,500m and 3,000m races, and Safaricom has sponsored the trials under the 2019 edition of the Safaricom Athletics Series, which will support 12 different events in this year's athletics calendar.
