TOKYO, Japan – A new era in Kenyan deaf athletics dawned on Monday, November 24, 2025, as 24-year-old Ian Wambui Kahinga delivered a masterful performance to win the men’s 5,000-metre gold at the Tokyo 25th Summer Deaflympics. In a historic run at the Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium, Kahinga not only claimed the title but also obliterated the long-standing Deaflympics and World records held by Kenyan legend Symon Kibai.

Kahinga crossed the finish line in a blistering 13:52.83, erasing Kibai’s previous mark of 14:02.90, which was set at the 2013 Games in Sofia, Bulgaria. The dominant performance cemented a full Kenyan podium sweep, with James Mwanza Musembi securing the silver medal with a time of 14:15.28, and Nelson Kipkorir Rotich taking bronze in 14:43.35.

The victory marks a symbolic passing of the torch from Kibai, long considered Kenya’s most decorated deaf athlete, to the Nyahururu-based Kahinga, who has now firmly established himself as the nation's new star in long-distance deaf running. This was Kahinga’s second gold medal of the Tokyo Games, following his victory in the men's 10,000m final earlier in the competition.

A Calculated Ascent to the Top

Speaking to reporters after his record-breaking run, Kahinga revealed that the achievement was the culmination of years of focused preparation. "I have been training for this achievement since day one when I left the 24th edition of this championship in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, in 2022," he stated. "I was expecting this victory, because I knew my chances of shattering the record were very high. I trained hard, improved on my speed, mastered my skills to make the race easy."

The race saw a tactical battle between Kahinga and his compatriot Musembi. With three laps remaining, Kahinga surged ahead and never relinquished his lead, demonstrating superior endurance and pace. His triumph was celebrated by Kenyan officials, including Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, who praised the performance as placing Kenya "at the pinnacle of global athletics."

Kenya’s Enduring Deaflympics Dominance

The 25th Summer Deaflympics, which run from November 15 to 26, 2025, mark the 101st anniversary of the first Games held in Paris in 1924. Team Kenya arrived in Tokyo with high expectations, aiming to surpass its best-ever medal haul of 24 (five gold, seven silver, and 12 bronze) achieved at the 2022 Games in Brazil.

Despite financial challenges that forced the country to reduce its competing disciplines from a planned 12 to just five, Kenya’s athletics contingent continues to be a formidable force. The nation is represented by a contingent of approximately 180 athletes and officials competing in athletics, women's basketball, men's handball, golf, and swimming.

The clean sweep in the men's 5,000m propelled Kenya's medal tally at the games to 14—comprising five gold, five silver, and four bronze medals as of Monday evening, EAT. The performance underscores the depth of talent within the programs managed by the Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) and the Kenya Sports Federation for the Deaf (KSFD), which held national trials in September 2025 to select the formidable squad. As the games enter their final days, all eyes will be on Kahinga and the rest of Team Kenya to see if they can further solidify the country's status as a global powerhouse in deaf sports.