Sprinter Beryl Wamira will seek to lower her record in women’s 200m during the 24th Summer Deaflympics scheduled for May 1 to 15 in Caxias Do Sul in Brazil.
Wamira, the Team Kenya captain, says she is targeting a sub 23:00 in Brazil. At the 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria she set the record of 24:46 and nine years later, she is targeting to lower it.
The double Olympian has stepped up training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani ahead of the long trip to Brazil. Before heading to camp, she was training at Komarock and Nyayo Stadium.
Wamira, 26, the World Junior 200m Deaf Athletics record holder also won silver in 100m and 200m during the 2017 Deaf Olympics in Turkey.
In Brazil, she will also take part in the women's 100m, 4x100m and 4x400m. However, her focus remains breaking the 200m record.
"My body is in good shape. The training camp has improved my shape and tactics. Apart from the high-intensity training at the camp, I take my coach's advice seriously,” she said.
The former SOYA Awards Sports Personality Living with Disability runners-up co-captains Team Kenya with steeplechase defending champion and record holder Lucas Wandia.
Recalling her performance in Bulgaria, Wamira said she was shocked by her feat.
She said: "After the race, I saw people praising me, I was then told I did not only triumph in the race but made a huge mark in the competition by breaking its record."
Her training regime includes speed work, hill work, morning runs and gym sessions.
She trains alongside her sister Rael and brother David, both deaf.
"Running as a family always motivates me. My family has played a huge part in the medals I have won," she added.
Wamira, who comes from a family of eight — five brothers — of which one is dea, just as one of the sisters. She called for increased support for Deaf athletes
Her father — who is also deaf—was an athlete while her mother was a volleyballer and basketball player.
