Kahinga v Musembi: Who will blink first?

A huge storm is brewing in the men’s 5000m finals set for Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday.

The crunch race on everyone’s lip will feature two arch rivals and compatriots, silver medallist Ian Wambui Kahinga and new kid on the block James Mwanza Musembi.

The expected blockbuster has left everyone talking and guessing who will be the ultimate winner.

And it seems raw and talented Musembi has the numbers, even though this is his debut in the quadrennial games.

Musembi has literally endeared himself to spectators with his signature run, a fast sprint at the start followed by maintenance of the tempo, which makes him lead from gun to tape.

Many believe he is so far the best raw talent ever to be discovered by the four Kenyan coaches currently handling the athletics contingent that has 50 participants in the ongoing Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics.

“I think through Musembi, I discovered a full replacement for Simon Kibai Cherono,” coach Samuel Kibet told Standard Sports.

Kibai, the most successful Kenyan Deaflympian, is not in Tokyo to defend the category, meaning a new champion will be born this time round. 

Kibai is also the men’s 10,000m champion and Deaflympics record holder.

“While explaining how he has prepared for the Monday showdown, Musembi said: “Yes, I will clinch this gold. I will floor everyone. The medal is mine in the race.”

A gem discovered deep in a Machakos village, Musembi is still yet to be exposed. 

No one can comprehend his rather awkward sign language, not even the over seven interpreters, including deaf-to-deaf interpreters, that Team Kenya has travelled with to Japan.

The only athlete who understands his mode of communication is Elikana Kiprop Rono, so the media present has to use him to talk on behalf of Musembi.

Despite the barrier in communication, coach Kibet still has a way to guide and pass his message and instructions to the blazing 21-year-old.

“The good thing is that he knows athletics rules and regulations, so he can compete well," Kibet explained.

"We plan to assist him to go to school so he can learn conventional sign language that is understood by all, including the interpreters,” Kibet added.

Asked whether he feels pressure ahead of the race, Kahinga said: “I’m glad there is a new challenger in town. I think Musembi is a good athlete, he is fast, and he has pace, but I’m not worried at all, because I know myself.”

“His tactical approaches are not new to me; I know how to handle them. I’m not afraid of him,” 26-year-old Kahinga said.

“At the end of the day, we are all a team, so the most important thing is for the medals to return home," he added.

While everyone is debating between Kahinga and Musembi, there is a dark horse in the lineup emerging, the one and only Nelson Kipkorir Rotich.

Rotich, also a newcomer, has proved beyond reasonable doubt that ‘anaeza pita katikati yao’ (he can floor the two) with his running signature style of stealthily staying at the back then flooring the pack with an amazing finishing kick.

“If I’ll not be number one, then I’ll be number two or three, that is what I know for now. I’m very confident of a podium finish,” said Rotich.

“I have done everything ahead of the final, I have prepared well. I just know that I’ll perform well. What we have agreed on is that we will exchange first positions during the race to make our rivals tired; after that, every man will be for himself. I think it will be a 1-2-3 finish for Kenya, that’s how I’m seeing it,” Rotich underlined.

While describing the anticipated finals, Kibet said: “This men’s 5000m showdown will be one of a kind. It will be fire; it will be hot. The three finalists are highly motivated. Two (Kahinga and Musembi) are already champions here, they are gold medal material just waiting to lower the records.”

Kahinga heads to the race buoyed with a gold medal won early this week in men’s 10,000m finals, which he breezed to the tape in 29:19.56 to emerge as the new champion.

Likewise, Musembi is the new men’s 1500m Deaflympics champion, after clocking 3:49.61 to inscribe his name in the annals of history.