Chelangat, Waithera into 1,500m T11 final at Paris Paralympics

Paralympics 1,500m T11 bronze medalist, Nancy Chelangat and 2013 world 1,500m T11 bronze medalist, Mary Waithera sailed through to the 1,500m T11 final at the Paris Paralympics on Sunday.

The final, that is the last event on track featuring Kenyans, will go down  on Monday at 11.11am - Kenyan time.

Kenya is yet to win a medal at the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games, thus a sense of duty rests on them going into Monday's races.

Chelangat, the 2016 Rio silver medallist and 2021 Tokyo bronze medallist, eased off to win the second heat in season’s best four minutes and 55.24 seconds to reach the final.

Chelangat, the 2023 world 1,500m T11 champion, edged out defending champion Olivia Rodriguez of Mexico, who came third in 5:00.23, failing to advance.

Waithera, who is making her first appearance at the Paralympics, clocked 4:50.42 in the first heat for a second place. It was enough to see her through albeit with a yellow card for infringement.

The 2024 world 1,500m T11 champion, Yayesh Gate Tesfaw from Ethiopia won the heat in 4:46.34.

However, Kenya’s Priscah Jepkemei was not lucky as she finished third in 5:03.11 in the third heat to fall by the wayside. The 2023 world 1,500m T11 silver medallist He Shanshan from China claimed the heat in 4:44.66 as 2021 Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist, South African Louzzane Coetzee came second in 4:45.25.

“It’s a beautiful feeling to make it to my third consecutive final and I have a strong feeling that finally, this is my time,” said Chelangat. “I have two medals from the Paralympics, silver and bronze…I am praying to God that I win gold this time.”

“It was a slow race and that is why I decided to hit the front to control the pace. I pray for a good and golden final tomorrow,” said Chelangat, who hails from Londiani, Kericho County. “I think it will be the pinnacle of my running career to win gold.”

Chelangat said she is determined to give the country not only a medal but its first women track victory.

Athletics is the most successful discipline in Kenya’s history at the Paralympics but the most interesting bit is that the women are yet to win any gold from track.

“She is a strong woman and I believe she will make it,” said Chelangat’s brother Geoffrey Rotich, who is also her guide.

“I talked to her during the race and she listened. We can only pray to wake up on the right side of the bed tomorrow,” said Rotich with a telling laugh.

The only women’s medallists from track in the country’s 72 years Paralympics history are Everlyne Khasembula (100m T57-bronze) from 2020 Sydney and Julia Longorkaye (1,500m T12- silver) at 2004 Athens.

“We hope to end that and rewrite the history books, Inshallah,” said Waithera, who patiently waited at the mixed zone to know her fate with the winners of the three heats automatically making the final.

“It took like a whole year waiting but I am glad to join Chela in the final and tough luck to Jepkemei,” said Waithera, adding that they are determined to do it for the over 50 million Kenyans.

“We shall give it all for the country. We need those medals for sure,” added Waithera, who is guided by James Boit.

Waithera said winning a medal would be of huge economic benefits because of the government’s cash reward that comes along with.

“It will definitely change our lives and more so make the country proud and known. Victory will be for the 50 million Kenyans…I will give it all,” explained Waithera.

“We shall be extremely careful not to get another yellow card,” said Boit, who guided Samwel Mushai to the 2012 London 1,500m T11 and 2016 Rio 5,000m T11 Paralympic Games victories.