The 25th edition of the two-week quadrennial multi-sport event starts on Saturday with an opening ceremony at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The Games are expected to attract over 6000 participants from around the world, including athletes and officials.
Kenya, a traditional powerhouse in the competition, will be represented by a contingent of 180 members including athletes, team officials, interpreters, delegates and medics. Kuria said Kenya’s preparation for the competition is over, and assured the delegation of a memorable experience in Tokyo.
He said the second batch of the team will travel on Wednesday, followed by the final group on Thursday.
“Team Kenya, we are ready for the Deaflympics. The athletes are well prepared. We are confident of a good outing in the Summer Games,” said Kuria who is fresh from guiding a high-powered Kenyan delegation from Tokyo where they made preparations ahead of Team Kenya's departure for the Games.
Kenya will take part in five disciplines
While 21 disciplines will be contested at the Tokyo Deaflympics, Kenya will participate in five: athletics, women’s basketball, men’s handball, golf, and swimming. Team Kenya has been in a residential camp since October 19.
Initially, Kenya was supposed to participate in 12 disciplines but seven teams were dropped due to budget constraints. The teams that were pruned out include women’s football, bowling, badminton, tennis, table tennis, cycling and women’s volleyball.
“Our contingent is ready; we are very anxious to land in Japan and see that we post better results than we did last time in Brazil (2022),” added the Kenyan boxing legend.
“It (Tokyo) is a wonderful environment that awaits our athletes and we are just hoping that when they go there, they acclimatise very fast. I believe in terms of competition, we are up to the task and we are going to challenge the rest of the world and win as many medals as possible,” Kuria assured.
The Tokyo Deaflympics will mark Kenya’s eighth appearance at the Games since making its debut at the 1997 edition in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Over the years, Kenya has maintained a strong performance in the Deaflympics with its 24-medal haul in Brazil in 2022 remaining the country’s best-ever performance in the Games.
Previously, in the 2017 Summer Deaflympics held in Samsun, Turkey, Kenya were top in Africa and ninth globally with 16 medals (five gold, five silver, and six bronze).
To ensure the Kenyan athletes do not struggle with unfamiliar cuisines in Tokyo, Kuria said plans are in place to make suitable Kenyan food, especially maize flour, available for them during the duration of the competition.
“We want to have them (athletes) eating their favourite meal if that is what will enable them to win more medals. As leaders in the team, we are ready to give them what they want and ensure that they don’t have an excuse of not making it to the podium,” concluded the CEO.
Bitok plots to break 800m, 1500m silver jinx
Meanwhile, Kenyan Deaf runner Sharon Bitok has vowed to break the 800m, 1500m silver jinx in Tokyo. Bitok made her international debut at the 2021 World Deaf Athletics Championships in Lublin, Poland, but she fell short of glory after finishing low in the women’s 800 meters, and 1500m categories.
“The first time I participated in athletics was in the Poland showpiece. I did not know how to compete, I was also a bit scared, I finished among the last,” recalled Bitok.
“However, when I proceeded for a second showdown at Deaflympics in Brazil, I had great confidence, this saw me nestle three silvers. That was so unexpected. I could not believe it. I was so motivated.
“This time around, as I head to Tokyo, my plan is to smash the silver linings, I want gold in the women’s 800m and 1500m. My goal is not only to reach the podium, but to come back home with a gold medal in the categories, so I’m training hard, I’m so hopeful that the dream will be accomplished.”
The Eldoret-based athlete will ply trade for Kenya in the women’s 800m alongside Aidah Odero. Bitok’s other compatriots in the women’s 1,500m are Viola Chelimo and Rebecca Matiko.
