Paralympian Mushai named Kenya’s top sports personality

Kenya's 2017 Sports Personality of the Year Samwel Mushai with his guide James Boit (left) display's the trophy at the 2018 gala. The 2019 SOYA gala will be held in Mombasa. PHOTO | FILE|

What you need to know:

  • Muchai waylaid stiff competition from three other category winners — world champions Conseslus Kipruto (3,000 metres steeplechase) and Hellen Obiri (5,000m) along with Deaflympian Beryl Wamira — to triumph.
  • Muchai becomes the second para athlete to win the overall title at the Sports Personality of the Year (Soya) awards after legendary long distance runner, Henry Wanyoike, who won at the inaugural 2004 ceremony.

Paralympian Samwel Muchai was Wednesday night named the 2017 Kenya Sports Personality of the Year at the annual awards ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Muchai waylaid stiff competition from three other category winners — world champions Conseslus Kipruto (3,000 metres steeplechase) and Hellen Obiri (5,000m) along with Deaflympian Beryl Wamira — to triumph.

INAUGURAL CEREMONY

He followed up his exploits in T11 men’s 5,000m and 1,500m at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games with a replica at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London last July to win the overall title.

Muchai becomes the second para athlete to win the overall title at the Sports Personality of the Year (Soya) awards after legendary long distance runner, Henry Wanyoike, who won at the inaugural 2004 ceremony.

Muchai was lucky this time around to carry the day, winning the Sportsman Living with a Disability award for the second consecutive year, beating Deaflyians Simon Cherono and David Kiptum to second and third place, respectively.

Despite finishing second in his heat in 4:14.63, Muchai, the world T.11 1,500m record holder (three minutes, 58.37 seconds) went on to win the 1,500m gold medal at the London event in 4:11.5.

Muchai stopped the clock at 15:41.54 to win the 5,000m title and was the only Kenyan to win gold in London.

Wamira won the Sportswoman Living with a Disability award, having claimed two silver medals in 100m and 200m at the Deaflympics Games.

Meanwhile, Kipruto, who won his maiden world 3,000m steeplechase title in London in August, a year after also clinching his first Olympicgold at the 2016 Rio Summer Games, won the 2017 Sportsman of the Year award, beating fellow world champions Elijah Manangoi (1,500m) and Geoffrey Kirui (marathon).

World and Diamond League Series champion Hellen Obiri (5,000m) won the Sportswoman of the Year award, beating world 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich (1,500m) and world marathon silver medallist Edna Kiplagat.

Kenya under-19 cricket team batman Aman Gandhi was declared the Most Promising Boy, having spurred his team to the ongoing World Cup in New Zealand while IAAF World Under-18 Championships 800m champion Jackline Wambui was named the Most Promising Girl.

Under-19 cricket team head coach Jimmy Kamande won the Coach of the Year award, having guided his team to the ongoing World Cup in New Zealand while Athletics Kenya won the Federation of the Year accolade.

Former Harambee Starlets international and team manager Rosemary Kapondi was declared Community Heroine.

HALL OF FAME

Kapondi started Dandora Dumpsite Rehabilitation Group which has since started an academy serving street kids from the Mukuru slums and dump site.

Former internationals Allan Thigo (football) and 1978 world flyweight boxing champion Stephen Muchoki were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Regional Schools Sevens rugby champions Muhuri Muchiri Secondary School won School of the Year (boys) title as their coach Kikechi Kombo claimed School Coach of the Year honours.

Wiyeta Girls, who won the regional schools football title, clinched School of the Year (girls) award at last night’s ceremony.

SOYA AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR

Sports Personality of the Year:

1. Samwel Mushai (Paralympics)

Sportsman of the Year:

1. Conseslus Kipruto (Athletics)

2. Elijah Manangoi (Athletics)

3. Geoffrey Kirui (Athletics)

Sportswoman of the Year:

1. Hellen Obiri (Athletics)

2. Faith Chepng’etich (Athletics)

3. Edna Kiplagat (Athletics)

Most Promising boy:

1. Aman Gandhi (Cricket)

2. Leonard Kipkemoi Bett (Athletics)

3. Vincent Oburu (Soccer)

Most Promising girl:

1. Jackline Wambui (Athletics)

2. Angelah Okutoyi (Tennis)

3. Vennessa Adhiambo (Cricket)

Sportsman living with a disability:

1. Samwel Mushai (Paralympics)

2. Simon Cherono (Deaflympics)

3. Daniel Kiptum (Deaflympics)

Sportswoman living with a disability:

1. Beryl Wamira (Deaflympics)

2. Hannah Wakonyo (Deaflympics)

3. Nelly Sile (Athletics)

Coach of the year:

1. Jimmy Kamande (Cricket)

2. Curtis Olago (Rugby)

3. Kevin Wambua (Rugby)

Men’s team of the year:

1. Kenya Cricket Under-19 (Cricket)

2. Gor Mahia (Football)

3. KCB Rugby (Rugby)

Women’s team of the year:

1. Kenya Lionesses (Rugby)

2. National Women’s Volleyball team

3. Telkom Orange (Hockey)

Sports Federation of the Year:

1. Athletics Kenya

2. Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association

3. Cricket Kenya

Hall of Fame:

1. Allan Thigo (Football)

2. Stephen Muchoki (Boxing)

Community hero:

1. Rosemary Kapondi

Boys’ school team of the year:

1. Muhuri Muchiri (Rugby Sevens)

2. Laiser Hill (Rugby 15s)

3. Kisumu Day (Hockey)

Girls school team of the year:

1. Wiyeta Girls (Football)

2. Kwanthanze  School (Volleyball)

3. Sinyolo Girls (Hockey)

School coach of the year:         

1. Kikechi Kombo (Muhuri Muchiri, Rugby)

2. Justin Kigwari (Kwanthanze, Volleyball)

3. Edgar Manyara (Wiyeta, Football)

Boys’ most outstanding player:          

1. Emmanuel Ndonga (Swimming)

2. Petty Andanda (Tennis)

3. Clinton Kioko (Rugby)

Girls’ most outstanding player:          

1. Faith Nyabera (Lawn Tennis)

2. Gloriah Mulei (Athletics)

3. Hadassah Gichovi (Athletics)