Samuel Cherono lights up Kasarani

Deaflympics 10,000m men’s champion Samuel Kibai Cherono easily won his speciality as the curtain came down on Deaf Athletics National Trials on Friday at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

The 27-year-old crossed the finish line in 29min, 27.0secs ahead of Peter Torotich (30:21.1) and Daniel Kiptum (30:21.9) who finished second and third respectively.  The win completed a double for Cherono who also won the men’s 5,000 meters race on Friday, also ahead of Torotich and Kiptum. Cherono is in Kenya’s 28-man team that was named yesterday after the trials.

Cherono has now set his sights on claiming gold over the two events at the World Deaf Athletics Championships to be held from June 25 to July 3 in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

“The races were competitive but I think my preparations helped me a lot, I want to replicate the same form at the World event alongside my colleagues,” Cherono said on Friday.

Cherono who is also the Deaflympics 1,500m and 5,000m champion led from start to finish, breaking away from the rest of the pack with three laps to go to romp to victory to the delight of the crowd. The top seven finishers in the race qualified for the World Championship after finishing within the qualifying time of 33:15.00.

In women’s 10,000m, Kisii-based Juster Kwamesa won in 41:10.5. Kwamesa’s win also saw her complete the double after winning the 5,000 meters race on Friday.

Mercy Peyai and Serah Wairimu were again forced to settle for second and third place respectively just like in the 5,000 meters race. Peyai clocked 42:10.8 while Wairimu finished in 44:26.6.

“The hard work now starts in ensuring that we succeed in the event and return home with many medals,” Kwamesa, who was the only athlete who met the qualifying time said.

Siblings David Wamira and Beryl Wamira were victorious in the 100 and 200 meters races booking their places in the Kenya team. Beryl won 100m race in 12.90secs and timed 25.53 in 200m.