Deaflympics: Wambui wins 10,000m gold as Kenya shines in Tokyo

Kenya’s Ian Wambui scooped gold medal on Monday at the ongoing 2025 Summer Deaflympics after storming to victory in 29:19.56 in the 10,000m race held at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium.

His compatriot, veteran David Kipkogei claimed silver medal in 29:27.63 while Chinese Xu Kuantian won bronze medal after finishing third in 30:04.83.

It was a memorable day with further success in the 4x400m mixed relay where the quartet of Isaac Atima, Linet Fwamba, Beryl Wamira, and Simon Menza claimed silver medal in 3:40.05. Speaking after his victory in men’s 10,000m, Wambui said though he was confident of winning a medal in the race, he not entirely that he sure that he would clinch the gold medal.

He noted that the race felt relatively easy for him such and he had hopes to break the record held by three-time champion Symon Kibai, who did not make the squad for this edition of the Games.

“I enjoyed my run.It was just like a normal day. I thank God for the win and I hope that as Team Kenya, we will continue to do better in other races that are yet to come,” said Wambui. The victory, he said, has motivated him to chase for a triple victory in the competition. Apart from seeking to defend his title in the 1,500m men, Wambui will also be out to upgrade the gold medal he won at the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil to gold.

“I’m also gunning for the gold medal in the 1,500m and 5, 000m. I’m strong and motivated,” added Wambui.

Kipkogei, who won a gold medal in the race in 2009 edition held in Taipei, Taiwan said he was delighted to win a silver medal. He had clinched a bronze medal at the previous Games in Brazil. “I have done my best and I’m very happy about it. I know that am a bit aged but I’m happy I can compete in these races and win medals,” said the 46-year-old Kipkogei as he ruled out any possibility of retiring soon. He shifts his attention to the men’s marathon where he has set his sights on clinching a gold medal.

In the 4x400m relay, Kenya were beaten to gold by Ukraine’s Dmytro Rudenko, Solomiia Kuprych, Serhii Drach and Kristina Kiniaaikina, who timed 3:33.91. The bronze medal went to Colombia where Roberto Mosquera, Guerrero Garces Diego Alvarez and Beltran Matinez who clocked 3:40.65.

Earlier in the men’s 400m heats, Atima and Menza sailed through to the semi-finals after finishing first in both heats four and six respectively. Both athletes timed 50.70.