By Athletics Kenya Media Team
Fresh from clinching silver in the women’s 20km race walk at the African Championships in Accra, Ghana, last month, Sylvia Kemboi extended her rich vein of form by storming to the national title at the Athletics Kenya National Championships/Commonwealth Games trials at Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.
Kemboi clocked 48:39.2 to finish comfortably ahead of Violet Chepkemoi, who posted 49:53.4 for second place. Caren Simiyu completed the podium in 50:54.5.
”The race was good, but the weather was a bit of a challenge. I persevered and pushed on,” Kemboi said.
The 37-year-old revealed that she arrived at the national showpiece determined to stretch the field and force the pace from the outset.
”The target was to push because the rest of the field was not moving fast,” she said.
Last month, Kemboi secured continental silver in Accra after clocking 1:33:44, behind Ethiopia’s Wubalem Shugute, who won in 1:33:31.
The experienced race walker said the podium finish in Ghana had boosted her confidence heading into the national championships.
”I won silver in Accra and that gave me confidence before coming to the nationals. I was in good shape,” she said, adding that “After Ghana, I came back home and sharpened up my speed.”
Kenya’s Commonwealth Games trials day one highlights
Meanwhile, the men’s hammer throw final saw Dominic Abunda extend his dominance in the circle, clinching a remarkable ninth national title after unleashing a winning throw of 60.27m.
Reagan Oketch (52.01m) and Adelbert Museveni (51.59m) finished second and third respectively.
Nancy Kanini captured the women’s hammer throw national crown with a best mark of 49.13m.
Lucy Anyango followed in second place with 47.78m, while Josephine Ondara completed the podium with a throw of 42.38m.
In the men’s discus throw final, Caleb Chepkwony claimed top honours with a winning throw of 49.59m.
Titus Limo settled for second with 49.10m, while Benson Maina rounded off the podium with 44.02m.
Faith Kipsang soared to the women’s long jump title with a leap of 6.40m, comfortably ahead of Uganda’s Atimango Winnifred (5.93m) and Lyllian Ngala (5.74m).
Ferdinand Omanyala’s time at national trials
On the track, Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala looked every bit the favourite in the men’s 100m heats, cruising to victory in Heat One in 10.22 seconds.
Maxwel Chingili crossed second in 10.75, while Roomey Wayne completed the top three in 11.00.
The sprint merchant said his main objective was simply to navigate the opening round and safely book a place in the semi-finals.
”Today was all about getting through the rounds and going into the semi-finals,” Omanyala said.
The defending Commonwealth Games 100m champion will be eager to retain the national crown he won last year after blazing to victory in 10.08 ahead of Steve Onyango (10.27) and Meshack Babu (10.31).
Babu also impressed in Heat Six, powering to victory in 10.27 ahead of Simani Regau (10.60) and John Kinoo (11.30).
Former national record holder Mark Otieno looked sharp as well, taking Heat Seven in 10.36 and leaving Tyson Juma (10.70) and Abel Mzee (10.72) trailing in his wake.
In the women’s 100m, reigning national champion Esther Mbagari had to settle for second place after clocking 12.01 behind South Sudan’s Lucia Williams, who won heat six in 11.97.
How did Lilian Odira perform at the national championships?
World 800m champion Lilian Odira was equally commanding, producing a polished run of 2:00.50 to win semi-final two of the women’s two-lap race ahead of Pauline Ndusu (2:00.97) and Sheila Chepchirchir (2:04.41).
African Championships gold medallist Kelvin Loti also stamped his authority on the men’s 800m, clocking 1:47.78 to win semi-final one ahead of Noah Kapkama (1:48.05) and Brivon Kiptoo (1:48.26).
In the women’s 5,000m semi-finals, Miriam Cherop delivered a composed and tactical performance to win the opening heat in 16:00.74, narrowly edging Maureen Chebor (16:00.78) and Caroline Kariba (16:02.38).
Cherop expressed satisfaction with her outing as she shifted her focus to the final.
”The race was good. I am happy with the win and I am now looking forward to the final where I hope to put up a good show.”
The Japan-based athlete is targeting a coveted ticket to the Commonwealth Games.
“I hope I can secure a ticket to the Commonwealth Games so that I can represent my country.”
In the second heat of the women’s 5,000m, Nancy Jepkemei stormed to victory in 15:30.56 ahead of Rebecca Mwangi (15:31.11) and Miriam Kibet (15:31.68).
The women’s 3,000m steeplechase also produced quality performances, with Joyce Biwott (9:44.12), Anatasha Cheptoo (9:48.78) and Faith Jeptum (10:16.11) securing the top three positions in heat one.
Heat two of the water-and-barrier event saw Celestine Biwot post the fastest time of the day, crossing the finish line in 9:42.57 ahead of Diana Chepkemoi (9:53.58) and Roseline Chepng’etich (10:08.57).
National 400m record holder Mercy Oketch got her campaign off to a smooth start in the women’s one-lap heats, clocking 55.05 to win heat one.
In the men’s 3,000m steeplechase semi-finals, Simon Koech timed 8:33.86 to win heat two, narrowly holding off world bronze medallist Edmund Serem, who followed closely in 8:34.09.
