TOKYO, Japan – Kenya's Serah Kimani Wangari claimed a bronze medal on Tuesday in the women’s 10,000 metres following the disqualification of two athletes for wearing incorrect footwear.

Wangari, who came to the limelight in the Sofia 2013 Deaflympic Games, crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 37 minutes 24.37 seconds, but later received the joyful news that she had been promoted to the podium.

Mexico’s Juarez Lourdes clinched a Gold medal in 36:17.07, while Finland’s Sara-Elise Ruokonen secured Silver in 37:13.45.

“I was disappointed to finish fifth because I had no injury and felt strong,” Wangari said afterwards. 

“When they told me I had won bronze, I was shocked, but very happy. Everything happens for a reason.”

The bronze is Wangari’s second consecutive Deaflympics medal in the event, having won silver at the 2022 Games in Caxias do Sul, Brazil.

Kenya’s only other entrant in the race, Grancy Kandagor, finished at 10th position in 45:31.06 in a race that featured only 17 athletes.

Kenya now sits on four medals in Tokyo: one gold, two silver medals, and one bronze.

Ian Wambui struck gold in the men’s 10,000m on Monday, with David Kipkogei taking silver in the same race.

The mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Isaac Atima, Linet Fwamba, Simon Menza and Beryl Wamira added another silver.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, who attended the race at Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium, praised the team and reiterated the government’s commitment to equal treatment for deaf and disabled athletes.

“The government will reward all medalists on the same scale as their hearing counterparts,” PS Mwangi said.

“There will be no discrimination. President William Ruto has shown that Kenya supports all sport, whether athletes are able-bodied or differently-abled.”

In September, the President increased rewards for major championship medals to Sh3 million for gold, Sh2 million for silver, and Sh1 million for bronze.

Kenya’s deaf athletes have now secured a financial boost alongside their growing medal haul, as the East African nation continues its impressive showing on the global stage in Tokyo.

Before that, the state used to reward them Sh750,000 for gold, Sh500,000 for silver medal and Sh350,000 to bronze medalists.

Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics Women’s 10000m Selected Results: