Kenya’s strong showing at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics continued on Friday as seven athletes advanced to the finals in their events, building on the country’s rising momentum at the Games.
Among those progressing were newly crowned gold medalists Ian Wambui Kahinga and James Mwanza Musembi, who both secured places in the final of the men’s 5,000 meters. They were joined by Nelson Kipkorir, Isaac Atima, Rael Wamira, Hillary Kipkorir, and Stephen Okoth, all of whom kept Kenya firmly in the medal hunt.
Kahinga, who opened Kenya’s medal tally earlier in the week with a win in the men’s 10,000 meters, again set the pace in the 5,000m heats. He finished first in heat two in 14:59.65, followed closely by Musembi, who clocked 14:59.99 after his commanding victory in the 1,500 meters on Wednesday.
In heat one, Kipkorir also advanced after placing second in 15:28.19.
Team captain Isaac Atima secured a spot in the final of the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 54.91, placing second in his heat. He will compete in Saturday’s final as he looks to add to Kenya’s growing medal list.
In field events, Rael Wamira reached the women’s long jump final with a personal best of 5.03m. Hillary Kipkorir and Stephen Okoth qualified for the men’s javelin final with throws of 50.58m and 49.66m.
Kenya’s coaches said the performances across both track and field have strengthened hopes of improving the country’s total number of medals. The team has so far collected seven medals: two gold, three silver and two bronze.
With multiple finals scheduled through the weekend, Kenya remains positioned for a strong finish at the Games as its athletes push for more podium places.
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