Triple gold medalist used to graze cows in Kenya
abu dhabi – Onesmus Mutinda’s is a true success story of Special Olympics World Games. Coming from a poor Kenyan family with six siblings to feed, Mutinda has stood tall against all challenges that life has thrown at him. Mutinda won three gold medals in athletics events of 4x400m relay, 10,000m run and half marathon held in Dubai. Winning medals and prize money is a way of beating poverty for people like Mutinda.
His head coach Anthony Mwangi said 20-year-old Mutinda has potential to compete in mainstream athletics.
“He started running some five years back. He is from a very local area of our country. His family is poor and do farming but not well off with that. He struggled in school and joined his father in farm. He used to graze cows, run after them and other animals. He could run all day after them. It was like a pastime for him to forget everything else, his struggle. I think he got freedom by running. It was then I found him and put him on track.”
Mutinda won two gold medals in his first attempt at Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 and then there has been no looking back.
“He started taking part in more competitions and won some money too. It helps him beat poverty. He bought his own land now,” Mwangi said.
Mutinda is looking to get to the next stage.
“He has a future. He can be pitted against those in the mainstream. He is destined for big league,” the coach said. “The UAE has presented great opportunity to such athletes. I hope there is greater integration between countries like Kenya and the UAE,” Mwangi hoped.