Rukia Nusra during the 3rd Athletics Kenya track and field held at the Nyayo National Stadium on 26 and 27 January. Photo Jairus Mola
Olympian and 3,000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and 800m World champion Mary Moraa started their season off with a good performance during the two day, third Athletics Kenya track and field championship held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday as Rukia Nusra sets a new national record.
Chepkoech did an endurance test run in the 5,000m event as she targets the elusive 3,000m steeplechase Olympic medal. Chepkoech crossed the finish line in 15 minutes 22.05 seconds followed by Rebecca Njeri Mwangi of Central region in 15:52.91 as Vivian Jebiwot Kosgei finished third in 16:46.08.
“God willing, this year we will reclaim our gold medal and bring it back home. I am just praying to God for good health and to be ready for the Paris Olympics.” Chepkoech.
In her part Moraa is focused more on speed test in the 400m after ending her Olympics quest in the 800m semi-final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games.
Moraa easily won the women’s 400m after stopping the timer at 51.97seconds, while Milcent Ndoro clocked 52.74 for second place, as Damaris Nduleve Mutunga settled for third in 53.41 seconds.
“I’m yet to know where to start my season Coach Alex Sang has the program. Today it was about testing my speed and having fun in the field. As I target a podium finish at the Olympics. ” said Moraa who also anchored her Kenya Police relay team to win the 4X400m final.
It is not clear whether she will take part in the World Indoor Championships set for Glasgow, Scotland in early March but she has however, expressed her desire to take part in the Athletics Kenya fourth Track and Field Weekend Meeting scheduled for April in her hometown Kisii.
Ferdinand Omanyala celebrates during the 3rd AK Track and Field Championship . Photo Jairus Mola
In the sprints, Rukia Nusra of Kenya Defence Forces broke her own national record of 13.87 in the women’s 100m hurdles. She shed off 0.17 seconds to set the new NR at 13.70. Though she was happy with the national record she was disappointed for missing her target of 13.20 to enable her qualify for the All African Games scheduled for March 8 to 23 in Accra, Ghana.
While two-time 100m Africa champion Ferdinand Omanyala Omurwa took it easy by clocking 20.46 seconds in the 200m heat 1, as he prepares for 60m dash during the World Indoor Championships slated March 1-3 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Samuel Chege Waweru of the Kenya Defence Forces finished second in that heat in 20.75 followed closely by his teammate Zablon Ekhal Ekwam in 20.75.
Meanwhile Mark Otieno made a comeback in the men’s 100m after completing his doping ban. In his first competition of the season, Otieno clocked 10.32 in the second heat of the 100m semi-final followed by Justine Mogoi Isaboke of KDF in10.40 as Robinson Motende Absolom (KDF) finished third in 10.60 seconds.
