Leah Malot wins Kenyan Trials 10,000m (© Omulo Okoth)
Kenya's World Championships trials claimed the first victim in Commonwealth 10,000m champion Selina Kosgei, who was beaten by Leah Malot in a sprint finish at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in the outskirts of capital Nairobi on Friday.
The race started at a painfully slow pace with almost all the competitors jogging together for up to 20 laps. Meanwhile, Alice Timbilil and Kosgei exchanged the lead at intervals.
At the bell, Malot, who won the All African Games at the age of 15 in 1987, shot to the front with Kosgei in tow. With 200 metres left, the two engaged in a sprint duel and with 60 metres to go, Kosgei lost the fight to Malot who cruised to victory in 33:12.1 as the Commonwealth champion trailed in 33:14.0 and Irene Kwambai in third place in 33:15.8.
Eunice Jepkorir was fourth in 33:27.1, Elizabeth Rumokal fifth in 33:31.1 and Monica Wangare sixth in 34:08.8. 1998 Commonwealth 10,000m champion Esther Wanjiru was eighth in 34:31.0.
"I was very careful not to be spiked again as I was in the National Championships two weeks ago. Right now, I am more comfortable in the 10,000m and I am gunning for a medal at the World Championships in Paris," Malot, 30, said.
Kosgei was certainly disappointed but accepted defeat honourably. "She beat me fairly. I tried to run but my legs were not moving as fast as I wanted," Kosgei told reporters.
World silver medalist Wilfred Bungei's and William Yiampoy's withdrawal from the first qualifying round of the 800 metres watered down the race with Justus Koech winning in 1:46.00. Bungei was taken ill with severe malaria and was hospitalised, officials said. Yiampoy said he was also unwell.
Former world junior champion Joseph Mutua was beaten to second place in the second qualifying race by Michael Rotich, who won in 1:46.14 while Japheth Kimutai won the third one in 1:46.46, beating another former world junior champion Nicholas Wachira to second position in 1:46.59.
World 1500m silver medalist Bernard Lagat finished the 1500m semi final in second place in 3:44.6, beaten by teenager Isaac Songok, who won in 3:44.2. Paul Korir won the first semi final race in 3:46.3, making the final on Saturday a mouth-watering race.
Leading results:
MEN
110m Hurdles
1 Daniel Kogei 14.57
2 Michael Rop 14.73
3 Ammon Chepsongol 14.97
800m Heat 1
1 Justus Koech 1:46.00
2 Ntambe Maswii 1:46.64
3 Henry Rotich 1:47.11
Heat 2
1 Michael Rotich 1:46.14
2 Joseph Mutua 1:46.74
3 Joel Marwa 1:47.15
Heat 3
1 Japheth Kimutai 1:46.46
2 Nicholas Wachira 1:46.59
3 John Litei 1:46.93
200m Final
1 Japheth Ogamba 21.09
2 George Kwoba 21.59
3 Makame Ali 21.61
1500m Heat 1
1 Paul Korir 3:46.3
2 Alex Kipchirchir 3:47.1
3 Robert Rono 3:47.7
Heat 2
1 Isaac Songok 3:44.2
2 Bernard Lagat 3:44.6
3 David Kiplak 3:44.7
WOMEN
200m Final
1 Jecinta Wambui 24.05
2 Hellen Chemtai 24.11
3 Priscilla Isiao 24.80
10,000m Final
1 Leah Malot 33:12.1
2 Selina Kosgei 33:14.0
3 Irene Kwambai 33:15.8
Javelin
1 Cecilia Kiplagat 47.79
2 Grace Chepkwony 46.04
3 Pascaline Jeptanui 45.80
100m Final
1 Callen Nyakawa 15.31
2 Georgina Mbinya 15.72
3 Mercy Mureithi 16.96
Long Jump
1 Hellen Chemtai 5.96
2 Caroline Kola 5.46
3 Caroline Jerop 5.29
