Ian Wambui shatters World record as Kenya sweeps men’s 5,000m podium – DAILY SPORT

Kenya’s Ian Wambui on Monday stole the show at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics by winning the gold medal in the men’s 5,000m, and shattering both the Games’ and world record which have stood for over a decade.

It was a clean podium sweep by Kenya in the race held at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium, with Wambui leading in a remarkable time of 13:52.83. He broke the world and Deaflympics record of 14:02.90 which was set by Symon Kibai at the 2013 games in Sofia, Bulgaria.

James Musembi clinched the silver medal in 14:15.28 while Nelson Kipkorir claimed the bronze medal in 14:43. 35.

Earlier at the same venue, Kenya’s Viola Jelimo secured bronze medal in the women’s category of the same race after finishing third in 17:26.83.

The event was won by Portugal’s Mira Da Silva.M who clocked 17:26.23 while Abubiakirova Luiia Emiyevna bagged silver in 17:26.78.

Kenya has now scooped 14 medals in the games – five gold, five silver and four bronze. Wambui has two gold medals to his name from the Tokyo games as he opened Kenya’s medal account when he won the men’s 10000m on Monday last week.

He said he expected to break the world record in the men’s 5,000m since he has been training hard and his body was in good shape.

“This is my first time breaking a world record, so I feel very proud,” said Wambui after the race. “I followed the instructions I was given by the coaches, I listened to my body and I have done so well,” he added, excitement written all over his face.

After going toe-to-toe with Musembi, Wambui surged ahead with three laps to go, and he never looked back. He dedicated the gold medal to his family and the team’s athletics coach Samuel Kibet saying they have supported him throughout.

 On winning the silver medal in the race, Musembi said: “It is so good, I feel excited. Ian is a very good athlete.”

Competing in the Deaflympics for the first time, Musembi had announced his arrival at the big stage with a gold medal in the men’s 1,500m on Wednesday last week.

Kipkorir attributed his third-place finish in the men’s 5,000m to team work. “I would like to thank God because during the semi-finals, I was a bit scared but this time around in the final, I was on fire. We have been working together, particularly during the training. Yesterday (Sunday), we trained together knowing that today we were going to have the finals. This was my first time and they were there to guide and lead me and that is how I have managed to come third in the race.”

Kenya’s hopes of winning another medal in the men’s 4x400m relays were dashed after Simon Menza who was leading fell to the ground after being stripped by a Japanese athlete. Kenya’s appeal did not go through on technical grounds that Menza failed to get up and finish the race.

Isaac Erot, Team Kenya’s captain Isaac Atima and Edwin Kipngeno were the other Kenyan representatives in the race.

Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics

Deaflympics: Out Kibai, In Kahinga: The search for Kenya’s next King of Deaflympics is over after Kahinga shatters long standing Deaflympics, World records in Tokyo

The men’s 10000m winner cruised to the tape in 13:52.83 to become the new men’s 5000m champion. A double he achieved in style at the ongoing Tokyo Deaflympics showdowns.

Ochieng Oyugi, Tokyo

After a fierce debate and a long search for replacement of Kenya’s most decorated Deaflympian Simon Kibai Cherono, finally the nation has landed on one- the most flawless, magnificent and efficient Ian Wambui Kahinga.

And Kahinga rose to the coveted throne on Monday in style, by flooring a large field of 17 cutthroat competitors, pinning his arc rival James Mwanza Musembi down and shattering two men’s 5000m global accolades – the Deaflympics and the World championships records- at the ongoing Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Japan.

The feat was received by the capacity crowd that had thronged the scenic Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium with cheers and ululations, as Kahinga breezed to the tape in 13:52.83 to lower the long standing Cherono’s men’s 5000m standing records of 12 years. The spectators roared to life, in applause, as the stadium announced declared to the sporting cathedral of the newly minted World and Deaflympic records.

The victory was profound, it came with an icing on the cake, a clean sweep for Kenya in the category, with Musembi bagging silver in 14:15.28 as Nelson Kipkorir Rotich settled for bronze in 14:43.35.

“I have been training for this achievement since day one that I left the 24th edition of this championship in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, in 2022,” Kahinga explained.

“I curved my body on the rugged terrains of Mai Mahiu, it adapted to shape, it was set for the race, I mastered instructions from my coaches, I set my mind to blow up the records when I landed in Japan, I’m so happy, I feel exited and motivated to blow up as many records as I can,” Kahinga, who was still energized after the race, told Standard Sports.

“I was expecting this victory, because no stone was left unturned at my training base in Mai Mahiu, I knew my chances of shattering the record was very high because I rained hard, improved my speed and skills to make the race easy,” he added.

Kahinga’s victory came a few minutes after Viola Jelimo had powered to the finish line to bag bronze for Kenya in 17:26.83, in the women’s 5000m where she was edged from the lead by Esteves Mira of Portugal and Emilyevna Iuliia of Russia just a few meters from the tape.

Asked what motivated him to go for the records, Kahinga noted: “ When I won the 1500m in the last edition of the championship in Brazil, I was only a few seconds away from lowering the race record. This gave me an assurance that I can actually blow a record in Deaflympics, so I trained well and here I have the proof now.

“Also, the cash award pledged by the Government motivated me, I will use the money to improve my training schedule, open a business and support my young family.”

By virtue of breaking the record, Kahinga will be awarded Sh 5 million by the state. He will also get Sh 3 million for the gold medal in the category. He will be added another Sh 3 million for winning gold in the men’s 10000m on Monday the other week, totaling his pay check to Sh 11 million. In addition, he will be booked a business class ticket when heading home from Japan.

Kahinga is grateful for his fierce rivalry with Musembi, noting that it pumped him the adrenaline to cruise in the race for the records.

“Yes, I thought Musembi was going to defeat me, so I kept him on check. I decided to burn him out on the third lap, after which I never looked back till I achieved my objective,” he explained.

Kahinga is dedicate the records to his family who have always supported his athletics hustles. He is also accrediting coach Kibet for the push to master long distance running.

Any message for Cherono as he replaces him as the new Kenyan king of Deaflympics: “Thanks brother, you inspired me. I wanted to be as decorated as you, now I am, I will forever be grateful for your motivation,” Kahinga said.

Kenya’s Medal Tally and Records on Day 10 of the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics

14: (5 gold, 5 silvers, 4 bronze)

World Record

Ian Wambui Kahinga- Men’s 5000m (13:52.83)

Deaflympics Record

Ian Wambui Kahinga- Men’s 5000m (13:52.83)

Gold

1.Ian Wambui Kahinga- Men’s 10000m (29:19.56)

2.James Mwanza Musembi- Men’s 1500m (3:49.61)

3.Lucas Wanjiru Wandia- Men’s 3000m sc (9:06.95)

4.Elikana Kiprop Rono- Men’s 800m (1:53.02)

5.Ian Wambui Kahinga- Men’s 5000m (13:52.83)

Silver

1.David Kiptum Kipkogei – Men’s 10000m (29:27.63)

2.4x400m Mix Relay (Simon Gona Menza, Linet Fwamba Nanjala, Isaac Tongi Atima, Beryl Atieno Wamira) 3:38.05

3.Elikana Kiprop Rono- Men’s 1500m (3:50.27)

4.Jacob Kipkemoi Kibet- Men’s 3000m sc (9:09.88)

5.James Mwanza Musembi- Men’s 5000m (14:15.28)

Bronze

1.Sharon Bitok Jeptarus- Women’s 1500m (4:43.65)

2.Serah Wangari Kimani- Women’s 10000m (37:24.37)

 3.Nelson Rotich Kipkorir- Men’s 5000m (14:43.35)

4.Viola Jelimo- Women’s 5000m (17:26.83)

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