Kenya: Startle in Triangular Athletics Meet

Jonathan Komen

8 June 2011

Nairobi — Big dreams and shattered ambitions marked the final day of Triangular Athletics Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

It was simply breathtaking as, after the two-day riveting action, upstarts emerged from obscurity to claim slots in Kenya’s team to the seventh IAAF World Youth Championships to be held in Lille, France, early next month.

Africa Cross Country Championships junior bronze medallist, Zipporah Wanjiru, proved her mettle, upstaging the Africa Cross champion, Caroline Chepkoech, in the 3,000m final.

Wanjiru, a Form Two student at Mong’eto Secondary School in Nyahururu, broke away in the final stretch to stop the timer in nine minutes three seconds.

Chepkoech (9:04.0), a younger sister of reigning World junior 3,000m champion Mercy Cherono, settled for second place as Brillian Chebet (9:12.0) of Keiyo’s Kapkitony Primary School came third.

Wanjiru said: “I want to improve my athletics performance. I want a gold medal in France.”

Chepkoech, a Standard Eight pupil at Kipajit Primary School in Sotik, said she was praying to be in good shape since she wants to step into the shoes of her elder sister on the global stage.

She said: “I want to win gold like her. And nothing will stop me from attaining the feat.”

Little respect for greats

Newly crowned Africa Junior 400m silver medallist, Agatha Jeruto, showed little respect for East Africa championships greats Sheilah Chepng’etich and Emmaculate Jebet in 800m as she strolled to victory in a brilliant 2:07.8.

Cheng’etich (2:07.2) came second followed by upstart Linda Jepchirchir (2:11.2) as Jebet (2:13.1) faded to a distant sixth place.

Agnes Chebet Korir (16:09.0) won the 5,000m ahead of Caroline Bosibori (16:54.4) and Rose-Linda Jepkorir (17:06.4).

Upstarts also signalled their emergence in 800m as Timothy Kitum from the steeplechase-rich Marakwet village of Komora beat a stellar line-up which had Eastern Regional Youth 800m title holder Leonard Kosencha to lift the two-lap race title in 1:45.8.

Abraham Kipchichir (1:46.4) came second as Kosencha trailed in third. New talent William Malel (7:51.2) comfortably won the 3,000m race ahead of Patrick Mutunga (7:51.5) and Kipkemboi Lagat (7:51.8).

Malel, a Standard Seven pupil at the athletics-rich Kipajit Primary School in Kericho, said he has Daniel Komen’s 7:20 world mark in the crosshairs.

“I not only want to make the team but long to break the world 3,000m record in future,” said the highly talented athlete, who finished second to Africa steeplechase champion Richard Matelong at the Narok NBK/AK track and field meeting.

Ken Kirui (50.9) was too good for Christoper Ng’etich (51.3) and Francis Wanguo Mutunga (51.9) in 400m hurdles as Mike Mokamba (10.74), Luda Emmanuel (11.05) and Jim Nyamor shone in 100m sprints.

Robert Kiprono triumphed in high jump posting 1.98m beating Richard Biwott (1.925) and Paul Kemboi (1.825).

Athletics Kenya secretary-general David Okeyo said the team can defend the overall title in France.

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