An upcoming Paralympic athlete is all set to compete in the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Victor Kibet Cheruiyot, who is chasing his paralympic appearance for the second time at the 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix slated for 6th to 14th February, is targeting a top three finish in the 1500m and 5000m T12 categories.
Cheruiyot, 27, a T12 category athlete, participated in the 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix as well as in the 2024 Para Athletics National Trials held at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, where he emerged second in the 5000m and 1500m men’s races.
The T12 athletics category in the Paralympics is for the visually impaired athletes with significant vision loss but still with some residual sight.
In an interview with KNA at the Kiprugut Chumo stadium, the Kericho-based athlete, brimming with confidence, said that his training was on course and that he felt fully prepared for the upcoming competition.
“I am very hopeful as I set out for the competition. I have had ample time to do my training and for now I can admit that the preparations are top-notch, and I promise to raise our country’s flag high. My personal best in the 5000m men’s race is 14:15 whereas in the 1500m men’s race my personal best is 04:01, but I am confident I will perform better than this,” said Cheruiyot.
Other seasoned Paralympics athletes from Kericho County include two-time gold medallist Wilson Bii, who won gold in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in the men’s category T11-5000m and in 2021 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunis, Morocco, in the T11-5000m men’s race, as well as gold medallist Nancy Chelangat, who claimed gold at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris in the women’s 1500m T11 category.
Kenya has won a total of 50 paralympic medals: 19 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze, putting Kenya in 55th place on the all-time Paralympic games medal table.
By Sarah Njagi
