Zakary Koskei (1313) winner of the 800m third heat (© Peter Njenga)
Junior athletes came out strongly to challenge their seniors on the first day of the Kenyan National Championships cum trials for the All-Africa Games, at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, today.
MEN
World Junior Cross Country champion Asbel Kiprop, fresh from victory in the 3000m metres in Turin last week, won the second heat of the men’s 1500 metres in 3:41.6.
On form Kiprop, also winner of the same distance in the final Athletics Kenya weekend meeting, edged out Amos Korir who clocked 3:42.0 following a burst of speed towards the end which is becoming his signature in athletics competition.
For good measure, Kiprop, running for North Rift posted the fastest qualifying time. Winner of the first heat, Fredrick Korir, clocked 3:43.5 and Elijah Boit in the third, 3:45.3.
Elijah Chelimo of the Prisons team relegated Olympics champion Ezekiel Kemboi to second place in his heat of the 3000m Steeplechase in a race that the later took lightly as he has set his sight on the finals on Saturday. Chelimo clocked 8:32.6 and Kemboi 8:36.8. Colins Ngeno ran the fastest heat of 8:34.0 followed by David Langat (8:34.2).
The five heats of the 800m champion had no unexpected results as national champion Ismael Kombich of Police won his round in 1:49.9, while his great rival Justus Koech of the Armed Forces took second (1:48.4).
WOMEN
Veronicah Nyaruai Wanjiru, the current World Junior 3000m champion, finished a commendable second in the women’s 1500m, a day after winning in her speciality during the Kenya Triangulars champs which brought together students fromprimary, secondary school and teachers’ colleges in Kenya.
Wanjiru continued to impress after finishing second in the 1500m in a time of 4:19.6 behind Margaret Wangare of Police who posted 4:19.4. Wanjiru is targeting the Africa Junior championships and possibly the continental games beginning next month in Algiers.
The World Juniors bronze medallist at the 5000m Mary Wacera Ngugi, was third in the 5000m in 16:04.2 won by Sylvia Kibet (16:02.8). In second came former Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion Selina Kosgei, (16:03.1)
Charity Wandia of the Armed Forces was the fastest finisher in women’s 800m in 2:07.4 despite being almost shoved off the track at the bell.
Her team mate Josephine Nyarunda won the second heat in 2:08.9.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
*some names are missing from the official results, this concerns athletes not registered by Wednesday (13).
Selected qualifiers
MEN
800m
Heat 1:
1. ***** 1:49.2
2: Francis Kakonzi, Southern, 1:49.5
3: Daniel Kandie, A/F, 1:49.8
Ht2
1: Ismael Kombich, Prisons, 1:49.9
2: Jeremiah Maina, Central, 1:50.0
3: Kipchirchir Musa, Nairobi, 1:51.1
Ht3
1: Zakary Koskei, Western, 1:48.8
2: Albert Kemboi, Nyanza South, 1:49.6
3: Bernard Kisilu, Southern, 1:49.8
Ht4
1: Justus Koech, A/F, 1:48.4
2: Titus Ndhiwa, Nyanza South, 1:48.6
3: Leonard Kibet, Police, 1:49.9
Ht5
1: Richard Kiplagat, Admin Police, 1:47.2
2: Edwin Teliu, Police, 1:48.5
3: Joseph Mutua, A/F, 1:49.0
1500m
Ht1
1: Fredrick Korir,A/F, 3:43.5
2: Muinde Matheka, Southern, 3:43.7
3: Mike Ndiwa, Coast, 3:44.3
Ht2
Asbel Kiprop, North Rift, 3:41.6
2: Amos Korir, North Rift, 3:42.0
3: Geoffrey Rono, Police, 3:42.7
Ht3
1: Elijah Boit, Prisons, 3:45.3
2: Gideon Gathimba, A/F, 3:45.5
3: Kibet Barngetuny, South Rift, 3:46.5
5000m
Ht1
1: Kiplimo Menjo, A/F, 13:39.4
2: Richard Matelong, Prisons, 13:39.5
3: Geoffrey Siele, Police, 13:41.6
Ht2
1: Thomas Longosiwa, North Rift, 13:45.5
2: Joseph Kiplimo, North Rift, 13:45.8
3: Peter Koskei, Prisons, 13:46.8
3000m Steeplechase
Ht1
1: Elijah Chelimo, Prisons, 8:32.6
2: Ezekiel Kemboi, Police, 8:36.8
3: Abraham Chirchir, North Rift, 8:37.3
Ht2
1: Colins Ngeno, Police, 8:34.0
2: David Langat, A/F, 8:34.2
3: Abel Mutai, North Rift, 8:34.5
Women
800m
Ht1
1: Caroline Mitei, Police, 2:10.2
2: Sarah Igathe, Central, 2:10.6
Ht2
1: Josephine Nyarunda, A/F, 2:08.9
2: Fiona Sang, Nyanza South, 2:11.6
3: Josephine Elwak, Prisons, 2:12.4
Ht3
1: Charity Wandia, A/F, 2:07.4
2: Lydia Wafula, Prisons, 2:10.7
3: Milka Wamaitha, Central, 2:11.5
1500m
Ht 1
1: Florence Kiplagat, Police, 4:16.8
2: Irene Chelangat, Police, 4:17.1
3: Katunge Mutune, Southern, 4:17.4
Ht2
1: Margaret Wangare, Police, 4:19.4
2: Veronica Nyaruai, North Rift, 4:19.6
3: Mercy Kosgei, North Rift, 4:20.2
5000m
Semi finals
1: Sylvia Kibet, Police, 16:02.8
2: Selina Kosgei, Prisons, 16:03.1
3: Mary Wacera, Central, 16:04.2
Semi finals
1: Joyce Wanjiku, Police, 16:03.0
2: Gladys Cherono, A/F, 16:03.8
3: Caroline Kwambai, Prisons, 16:04.1
