NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenyan deaf athletics star Sharon Bitok is on a mission to convert her previous silver medals into gold at the 25th Summer Deaflympics, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, from Saturday, November 15 to Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The 29-year-old middle-distance runner from Iten is aiming for the top of the podium in both the 800m and 1500m events, seeking to finally break her "silver jinx."

Bitok’s journey to the elite level of deaf athletics has been one of remarkable resilience. She made her international debut at the 2021 World Deaf Athletics Championships in Lublin, Poland, an experience she described as daunting, finishing near the back of the pack. However, she staged a stunning comeback less than a year later at the 24th Summer Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, in May 2022. In a breakout performance, Bitok secured three silver medals for Kenya in the women's 800m, 1500m, and the 4x400m relay. This achievement established her as a formidable competitor on the global stage and earned her national recognition as one of the heroes celebrated during the 2024 Mashujaa Day festivities in Kitui.

Now, with the Tokyo Games approaching, Bitok has made her intentions clear. “When I proceeded for a second showdown at the Deaflympics in Brazil, I had great confidence, this saw me nestle three silvers. That was so unexpected,” Bitok stated in a recent interview published by Citizen Digital on November 7, 2025. “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.”

A National Hope with Local Roots

Hailing from Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet County, the cradle of Kenyan running champions, Bitok’s ambition carries the weight of local expectation. Her story resonates deeply within a nation celebrated for its athletic prowess. In Tokyo, she will not be alone in her quest. In the 800m, she will be joined by compatriot Aidah Odero, while Viola Chelimo and Rebecca Matiko will team up with her in the 1500m. The team is reportedly working under the guidance of coaches Sammy Kibet and Caroline Kola to devise a strategy aimed at securing multiple podium finishes for Kenya.

Bitok, a mother of one and a hairdresser by trade, is motivated by more than just athletic glory. A significant incentive is the financial reward for medalists recently announced by Kenyan President William Ruto. “I want to win that gold so I can get the Sh3 million reward,” Bitok told The Star newspaper in an article published on November 8, 2025. “The money will help me provide for my child and support my family.” This personal drive, combined with her admiration for Kenyan running legend and 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon, fuels her intense training regimen.

The Global Stage: Deaflympics in Focus

The Summer Deaflympics is a premier global sporting event for deaf athletes, held every four years. The upcoming games in Tokyo are distinct from the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which were held in the same city in September 2025. Team Kenya has a strong history at the Deaflympics, particularly in athletics. At the 2022 Games in Brazil, Kenya topped the African medal charts, finishing 12th overall with a total of 24 medals: five gold, seven silver, and 12 bronze. Bitok’s three silver medals were a crucial part of that historic national success.

As she prepares for the competition, Bitok acknowledges the challenge posed by athletes from other regions, particularly Europe, who may have access to superior training facilities. However, she remains confident in her preparation, focusing on speed work for the 800m and building endurance for the 1500m. “I feel inspired and strong. I feel capable of flooring any rivals who will be up against me,” she stated. Her journey from a nervous debutant to a confident gold medal contender embodies the spirit of perseverance that Kenyan athletes are renowned for, and the nation will be watching closely as she attempts to turn Tokyo’s silver linings into gold.