After a disappointing 14th-place finish at the ongoing 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, golfer Isaac Makokha has promised to return better and stronger in the next edition.
Makokha went to Tokyo hoping to improve on the bronze medal he won during the last Deaflympics in Caxias Do Sul in 2022. He faltered in his bid after carding 24 over par 240 to finish 14th in the individual category on Friday.
Featuring in his third Deaflympics, the 33-year-old Makokha attributed his poor show to being informed late that they would use the Strokeplay format rather than match play.
The father of one vowed not to give up on his dream of winning a gold medal in golf at the Deaflympics.
“I thought that we would play the same format we did in Turkey and Brazil. I wanted to win the gold medal in these Tokyo Deaflympics. I was very ready and well prepared for this competition, but things got twisted,” said a visibly disappointed Makokha.
He added: “But I want to promise you that I must bring a Deaflympics gold medal to Kenya. I’m not discouraged, yes, I have lost today, but I will continue, and I want to make sure that I will get a gold medal
German John Allen defended his title with an impressive 11 under par 205, securing his third consecutive Deaflympics gold medal. United States’ Kevin Hall claimed the silver medal while German Nico Guldan scooped the bronze medal.
Heading to Tokyo, Makokha carried confidence from his impressive form in several tournaments where he even outperformed able-bodied golfers.
The team’s coach, David Kihara, said his players were affected by the tough weather conditions in Tokyo.
“The course was in very good condition, and the weather was quite difficult. It was very cold in the morning and very windy also during the day, which is not the condition that the players are necessarily used to, but they were able to cope as best as they could,” said Kihara.
At the same time, Kenya will hope to bag more medals on Sunday when its athletes line up for various finals at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium.
Veteran Lucas Wandia will be out to secure an unprecedented third straight gold medal in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
After winning a silver medal over the distance in his Deaflympics debut in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2013, Wandia went on to clinch a back-to-back gold medal in the same event in Samsun, Turkey, in 2017, and Caxias do Sul in Brazil, in 2022.
In Tokyo, he will line up against eight other athletes, including compatriots Jacob Kibet and Joseph Gitau.
In the women’s 800m final, Kenya will be represented by reigning silver medallist Sharon Bitok, while in the men’s javelin final, Hillary Kipkorir and Stephen Okoth will carry the country’s flag.
Kenya will also seek to qualify for the final of both men’s and women’s 4x100m relays.
The men’s squad comprises Walter Malenje, David Nyamu, Simon Gona, Elijah Wekesa, and Paul Wangala. Their female counterparts are Pamela Atieno, Linet Nanjala, Faith Mukami, Anzazi Chaka, Bery Atieno, and Rael Achieng
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