Deaflympics: Lucas Wandia fulfils golden promise in Tokyo as Kenya’s medal tally hits 10
Lucas Wandia (left) and Jacob Kibet celebrate after winning gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics at Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium on November 23, 2025.
in Tokyo, Japan
Kenya’s Lucas Wandia on Sunday extended his dominance of the men’s 3,000 meters steeplechase at the Deaflympics to an unprecedented third straight title in Tokyo, Japan.
At the same time, Elikana Rono has successfully defended his men’s 800m title at the Games held at the Komazawa Olympic Park Gymnasium.
Despite falling at the water point in the second lap of the race, Wandia, 36, put up a spirited fight to secure the gold medal in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, timing nine minutes, 06.95 seconds.
His compatriot Jacob Kibet claimed a silver medal in 9:09.16 while Chinese Xu Kuantian bagged a bronze medal in 9:09.88.
Lucas Wandia (left) and Jacob Kibet celebrate after winning gold and silver medals, respectively, in the men’s 3,000 meters steeplechase at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics at Komazawa Olympics Park Gymnasium on November 23,2025.
After winning silver over the distance in his Deaflympics debut in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2013, Wandia went on to clinch a back-to-back gold medal in the same event in Samsun, Turkey, in 2017 and in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, in 2022.
Following his victory in Tokyo on Sunday, Wandia has joined Symon Kibai and Daniel Kiptum in the list of the most decorated Kenyan deaf athletes at the Deaflympics with three successive gold medals each.
Kibai achieved his treble by winning the gold in men’s 5,000m and 10,000m titles across the 2013, 2017 and 2022 editions of the Games.
Kiptum, on the other hand, completed his hat-trick in the men's marathon with victories in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
Elikana Rono poses celebrates after winning men's 800m gold at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics at Komazawa Olympics Park Gymnasium on November 23,2025.
“Before leaving Kenya, I had promised to go back with a medal. I’m happy to win a gold medal and defend my title for the third time in a row,” said Wandia, adding that his aim to break the record was disrupted by his fall.
In the 800m, Rono had to dig deep towards the end of the race to retain the title. He clocked 1:53.02 while Japanese Kousei Higuchi took silver in 1:53.22.
Dalibor Tulak of the Czech Republic won a bronze medal in 1:53.33.
“The competition was tough, with just about 100m left, I decided to give my best to win. I have won by a small margin, but I’m happy to have done it,” said Rono.
Kenya has bagged ten medals (four gold, three silver and two bronze) in the competition. On Monday, Ian Wambui opened Kenya’s medal account at the Games by winning the gold medal in the men’s 10,000m as his compatriot David Kipkogei won silver medal in the same event.
Later that same day, the quartet of Isaac Atima, Linet Fwamba, Simon Menza, and Beryl Wamira added another silver medal for Kenya in the 4x400m mixed relay.
Newcomer James Musembi claimed gold in men’s 1,500m while Rono clinched silver in the same race.
Serah Kimani and Sharon Bitok each secured bronze in women’s 10,000m and 1,500m, respectively.
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