As captain Rodgers Kiprop and Powerlifter Hellen Wawira led their compatriots during the march-on of the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Paralympic Games at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga were present for the colourful curtain-raising parade.
Kenya has nine athletes at the Games for which hosts Japan have the highest delegation at the Games, with nearly 300 athletes competing in 23 disciplines. Kenya will be taking part in the Games for the 12 time since making her debut in Heidelberg, Germany in 1972.
Nine Kenyans – seven in athletics, a para rower and a powerlifter – will bid to fly the Kenyan flag high.
The Paralympics team is keen on emulating their compatriots’ performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics held between 23rd July and 8th August.
The Paralympic Games, just like the Olympics are being held amid the Covid-19 pandemic that saw the events delayed by a year.
Kenya won six medals – three gold, silver and two bronze – at the Rio Games in 2016.
Paralympian Henry Kirwa, arguably Kenya’s most decorated athlete in either Paralympics or the Olympics with four gold medals and two bronze, is Team Kenya’s head coach at the 2020 Games.
Kenya holds Paralympic records for the visually impaired in 1,500m T11 (3:58.37 Samwel Mushai), 5000m T11 (15:11.07-Henry Wanyoike), 5000m T12 (31:42.97-Henry Kirwa) and 10,000m T11 (31:37.25-Henry Wanyoike).
Powerlifter, Wawira, 29, will be the first Kenyan in action on Thursday 7am East Africa time.
PHOTO/COURTESY
