Simon Kibai fights to retain his crown at SOYA

Double Deaflympics champion Simon Kibai will fight to defend his title at this years Sports people living with disability during the 19th edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) that will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Kibai who also holds the world 5000m Deaflympics record will take on 1,500m champion Ian Wambui, Deaflympics 3000m steeplechase gold medallist Lucas Wandia, Wilson Bii and Rodgers Kiprop.

Bii won gold in the T11/12 1500m at the Dubai Grand Prix, and wheelchair Javelin thrower Wesley Sang, who also claimed gold in the T46 1,500m, wheelchair javelin thrower James Mangerere won silver in 38.65m in Dubai.

Wandia won defended the 3,000m steeplechase title at the Games after clocking 9:29.27 as Wambui won 1,500m gold and silver in 5,000m at the Deaflympics, Kibai won a double by defending his 5,000m and 10,000m titles respectively.

Other nominees are Elikana Kiprop Rono, the 800m title at the Deaflympics.

The eight athletes will face-off with Reigning Deaflympic Golf bronze medalist Isaac Makokha who became the first Kenyan to win a golf medal at the Deaflympics Games.

The 2023 SOYA Awards Nominees

1. Rodgers Kiprop (Athletics)
2. Wesley Sang (Athletics)
3. Wilson Bii (Athletics)
4. James Mangerere (Athletics)
5. Lucas Wandia (Athletics)
6. Ian Wambui (Athletics)
7. Simon Cherono (Athletics)
8. Elikana Kiprop (Athletics)
9. Isaac Makokha (Golf)