Kenya at the 2012 Summer Paralympics

Summary

Kenya competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, United Kingdom from August 29 to September 9, 2012, where they were represented by thirteen athletes who won six medals at these games, two gold, two silver and two bronze. All the country's Paralympians competed in athletics. Kenya had originally qualified a larger team, and in more sports like powerlifting and rowing.

Kenya at the
2012 Summer Paralympics
IPC codeKEN
NPCKenya National Paralympic Committee
in London
Competitors13 in 1 sport
Medals
Ranked 40th
Gold
2
Silver
2
Bronze
2
Total
6
Summer Paralympics appearances (overview)

Team edit

The country sent a 13 strong athlete delegation to London, composed of 11 men and 2 women.[1] It was originally scheduled to send 16 athletes.[2] Kenya's team for these Games included captain Henry Wanyoike, and athletes David Korir, Henry Kirwa, Abraham Tarbei, Jonah Chesum, Stanley Cheruiyot, Emmanuel Cheruiyot, Wilson Bii, Francis Thuo, Hanah Ng'endo, Henry Nzungi, Mary Nakhumicha, David Boit, Samwel Mushai, Egla Mosop and Nelly Nasimiyu.[2][3][4][5] The team included people who had survived polio.[6]

Kenya had earned and subsequently been given via the allocation process more sportspeople than it ended up sending to London.[7] Female vision impaired runner Lenny Nasimiyu has hoped to make the London Games, but she could not go as she had a knee injury.[8] Nancy Chelagat was supposed also to be on the team, participating in the 5,000m and 1,500m T11 events.[7] Kenya was supposed to send a rower to London, Itaken Timoi. He had earned a wildcard berth to the Games.[7] Kenya was allocated a wildcard allocation for powerlifting in London. This spot was for Gabriel Magu.[7]

Medallists edit

The following Kenyan athletes won medals at the 2012 games. In total 6 medals were won, all in Men's Athletics.[7][9][10][11][12] Kenya finished fortieth overall on the medal table. [7]

Medal Name Sport Event Date
  Gold Samwel Kimani Athletics Men's 1500m T11 3 September
  Gold Abraham Tarbei Athletics Men's 1500m T46 4 September
  Silver David Korir Athletics Men's 1500m T13 4 September
  Silver David Korir Athletics Men's 800m T13 8 September
  Bronze Henry Kirwa Athletics Men's 5000m T12 3 September
  Bronze Abraham Tarbei Athletics Men's 800m T46 8 September

Athletics edit

The team included Henry Kirwa, Wilson Bii, Erick Sang, and Henry Sugi.[4][7][13] The country had 28 athletes who met the A-qualifying standard for the London Games. The IPC allocated 19 spots to Kenya.[7]

Men's Track and Road Events

The 2012 Games continued the successful athletics run for Kenya that started in Athens, with the nation claiming two golds in the sport.[14]

Vision impaired runner Henry Wanyoike was the captain of the Kenyan Paralympic athletics team in London as a 38-year-old.[3][15] Unlike the 2008 Games, Kirwa was unable to set any world records in London.[16] Ahead of the London Games, Wanyoike trained with Joseph Kibunja, his guide runner. They were based in Kikuyu, and ran outside through the local terrain.[15] He had hoped to compete in the marathon in London.[15] Part of the reason he was able to compete in London was a result of sponsorship from Standard Chartered.[15]

Henry Kirwa was back for the London Games, previously having competed at the Paralympics. Between Beijing and London, he was named the Kenyan of the Year by the United Nations.[4] Medalling at these Games, his performance insured that he became Kenya's most decorated Paralympian in history following his debut in Beijing, claiming 4 golds and 2 silvers between 2008 and 2016.[1]

David Korir won a silver medal for Kenya in the Men's 800m T13 event on September 6.[5] Samwel Mushai ran with guide runner James Boit in London. He claimed gold in the men's T11 1,500m event in a time of 3:58.37.[17][18] Henry Nzungi Mwendo made the finals of the men's T12 200m.[13] Abraham Tarbei won Kenya's second gold of the Games, after winning the men's T46 1,500 m in a time of 3.50.15.[7] Sugi ran in the men's T12 100 and 200m events.[7] Wanyoike competed in the 5000 metres, 10000 metres, and the marathon.[19]

Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Henry Mwendo 200m T12 22.88 4 q 23.24 4 Did not advance
400m T12 52.67 4 Did not advance
David Korir 800m T13 1:54.56 1 Q 1:53.16  
1500m T13 3:53.96 1 Q 3:48.84  
Stanley Cheruiyot 800m T46 1:59.23 3 Q 2:03.78 7
1500m T46 4:01.58 5 q 4:02.54 11
Jonah Chesum 800m T46 1:55.51 4 q 1:56.57 6
1500m T46 3:59.72 2 Q 4:00.38 7
Abraham Tarbei 800m T46 1:55.39 3 Q 1:53.03  
1500m T46 3:59.79 1 Q 3:50.15  
Samwel Kimani 1500m T11 4:09.44 1 Q 3:58.37  
Immanuel Cheruiyot 1500m T11 DSQ Did not advance
5000m T11 16:39.73 10
Henry Kirwa 1500m T13 3:55.35 2 Q 3:53.55 5
5000m T12 14:20.76  
Wilson Bii 5000m T11 DNF
Francis Karanja 5000m T11 15:56.67 4
Henry Wanyoike Marathon T12 DNF
Women's Track and Road Events

Hannah Ngendo Mwangi was disqualified from one of her events because of a false start.[13]

Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Hanah Mwangi 100m T12 13.58 3 Did not advance
200m T12 DSQ Did not advance
400m T12 DSQ Did not advance
Women's Field Events
Athlete Event Distance Points Rank
Mary Zakayo Shot Put F57-58 7.70 677 13
Discus Throw F57-58 17.53 399 15
Javelin Throw F57-58 16.86 650 13

Qualification edit

Kenya attempted to qualify for the London Games in men's sitting volleyball. They missed the Games after losing to Rwanda during qualification.[20]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Committee, Alexander Picolin, International Paralympic. "IPC Historical Results Archive - Country Web". db.ipc-services.org. Archived from the original on 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2016-10-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b "Celebrating the Kenyan Story: Kenyan Paralympics Team to the 2012 London Olympics". Celebrating the Kenyan Story. 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  3. ^ a b "Kenyan Sporting Dreams - BBC News". BBC. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
  4. ^ a b c "Rio Paralympics: podcast — The rise of the Paralympics in Africa". 2016-09-14. Archived from the original on 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
  5. ^ a b "Paralympics results". BBC Sport. 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
  6. ^ Stothers, William G. (Fall 2012). "Polio Survivors and the Paralympics: We're Still Here" (PDF). Stothers. Vol. 12, no. 4. pp. 3–4.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Super human moment of pride and fame". Mediamax Network Limited. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  8. ^ Isoe, Alex. "Paralympics team get sponsorship as selection is made in readiness for Rio Games". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  9. ^ "Kenya Paralympics - Rio 2016 Medals, Athletes & News". www.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  10. ^ "Kenya - 2012 Paralympic News, Athletes, Medals". LOCOG. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Kenya hoping to improve medal tally at Rio Paralympics". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  12. ^ "Kenya". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-09-22. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  13. ^ a b c "Kenya Paralympics sprinters hunger for medals". Citizentv.co.ke. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  14. ^ "Kenyan Rio 2016 Para-athletics participation in doubt with team set to miss World Championships". Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  15. ^ a b c d Schuman, Michael. "Blind Faith: How Kenyan Paralympian Henry Wanyoike Triumphed". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  16. ^ OCHIENG', ERICK. "Blow to Kenya as Paralympics squad is whittled down following directive". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  17. ^ "Kenyans begin hunt for medals". The Star, Kenya. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  18. ^ "Paralympics: Kenya Paralympians cry out for support as they prepare to head out to Rio games". sportsnewsarena.com. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  19. ^ David, Karanja (2008-08-27). "Wanyoike upbeat ahead of Paralympics". Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-08-27. [dead link]
  20. ^ "Rwandan volleyball team to compete at Paralympics". BBC News. 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2016-10-25.