DUBAI: Life was full of fun for Kenya's Henry Wanyoike, who was fast growing into a top athlete, till tragedy struck one day in 1995.
Wanyoike, who was 21 then, suffered a deadly stroke which left him blind and with a dark future. "I thought my life had come to an end," said the 37-year-old who will be participating in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. "I just could not do anything. But it was my dream to become a good athlete in Kenya. I was very good in school before I lost my sight," added Wanyoike, who then took up the challenge to find his way back into life.
The Kenyan's hard work paid off when he won his first gold medal in Sydney, Australia in 2000 at the Paralympics games.
"It was really tough. I kept falling and I had lot of injuries. But I had the desire to do well and become a champion. I had to work hard and I'm happy to be successful," added Wanyoike.
Wanyoike is supported by his childhood friend Joseph Kibunja who runs as his track guide. "It took almost four years before I could run with somebody else. It needs a lot of understanding. With my friend, Joseph, I enjoy it and he knows my speed and adjusts accordingly," said the athlete, who recorded a time of 2:31:31 at the Hamburg Marathon in 2005 which is still a world record for blind runners.
Wanyoike has won gold or silver medals in the marathon, half-marathon, 10km road race, the 10,000 metres, 5,000 metres and 1,500 metres with no other Kenyan athlete venturing so widely and so successfully. "I have three world records and I want to continue doing well."
