World 800m champion Mary Moraa will be seeking to set a national record when she takes part in the 400m at the Africa Games starting on Friday in Accra, Ghana.
Moraa showcased a dominant display in the women’s 400m final during the African Games Trials, where she clocked 51.25 secs on Wednesday at the Nyayo stadium. Jackline Nanjala (53.40) and Maureen Nyatichi (53.430 completed the podium in the event.
Moraa, also known as the ‘Kisii Express’ promised her fans better results this time round. Moraa placed fourth in 51.97 during the 12th edition of the African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019.
“I’d like to tell my fans to expect a national record in Ghana. I am now ready for the championships,” she stated.
She said taking part in the 400m was part of her plan to improve her speed in the 800m. “I want to improve my speed in the 800m hence I chose to take part in the 400m race.”
The 23-year-old further stated she would also be taking part in the Kip Keino classic on April 20.
“ I am also looking to take part in the 600m race, where I want to break the record,” she noted.
World 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Beatrice Chepkoech showed class in the women’s 5,000m to win the race in 15:29.69. She led Mary Mananu (15:45.45) and Sandrafelis Chebet (16:01.330 to the podium.
Chepkoech, who jetted back into the country yesterday from Glasgow, Scotland, for the World Indoor Championships stated that she opted for the trials to gauge her body. “I arrived on Tuesday and I am still jet-lagged. I didn’t expect to win today because I also have the flu,” she stated.
The 32-year-old clinched a bronze medal in the 3,000m short track at the Indoor championships in 8:22.68. Before her podium finish on Saturday in Scotland, she had participated in the 2018 edition in Birmingham, England, where she placed seventh in the 1,500m short track in 4:13.69.
Chepkoech claimed that the medal in Scotland would help her with her Olympic aspirations of securing a podium finish.
“I wanted a medal in the World Indoor Championships and I am glad I got one to boost my hopes for the Olympics,” she noted.
In men’s 100m, Hesborn Ochieng ran a personal best of 10.22 secs to book a ticket for the African Games. KDF’s Steven Onyango came second in 10.35 while Meshack Babu (10.36) was third.
Ochieng said his target is 10 seconds of qualifying time for the Olympics. “I will work on my last 20m of the race. My start is perfect but my finish is a bit poor,” he revealed.
Esther Mbagari showed that her prowess in the women’s 100m is still unrivaled after clocking 11.63 in the final. Eunice Kadogo (11.80 secs) and Doreen Waka (11.88) trailed her in second and third positions.
Mbagari said she would be eyeing to run a sub-11 seconds in Accra. “I am glad to have qualified for the African games. I expect to run my best time there,” she stated.
Dismus Lokira of KDF ran a convincing 28:36.77 to win the men’s 10,000m. Francis Abong (28:38.96) and Evans Keitan (28:41.42) completed the podium. “Getting into team Kenya is hard. I am glad I was able to secure a spot. My target in Ghana is to get a gold medal,” Lokira said.
Rukia Nusra clocked 14.17 to win the women’s 100m hurdles ahead of Gladys Muthoni (14.97) and Veronica Chebet (14.98).
African record holder in the men’s javelin, Julius Yego, won the men’s event after throwing a distance of 77.81m. Alex Kiprotich placed second with a distance of 75.37m with Methusella Kiprop clearing 72.72m.
Other results
Women:
800m: Vivian Kiprotich ( 2:02.01), Lilian Odira (2:02.51), Sarah Moraa (2:03.86); 10km walk: Emily Ngii (47:19.3), Sylvia Jerono (48:04.00; Hammer Throw: Rosaline Rakamba (54.11m), Lucy Omoni (50.11m), Nancy Kanini (47.81m).
Men
10km walk: Samuel Gathimba (40:34.05), Dominic Ndigiti (42:33.06), Dominic Mwenda (44:11.0); High Jump: Asbel Kiprop ( 2.12m), Vincent Kipkoech (2.00m), Robert Kiprono (1.90m); 800m: Kipng’etich Ngeno (1:44.07), Aaron Kemei (1:44.24), Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:44.52).
Team Kenya:
Women 100m
Esther Mbagari
Eunice Kadogo
Men 100m
Hesborn Ochieng
Steve Onyango
Women 100m-H
Rukia Nusra
110m-H men
Wiseman Were
200m Women
Millicent Ndoro
200m men
Samuel Chege
Dan Kiviasi
400m women
Mary Moraa
400m Men
Kennedy Kimeu
David Sanayek
400m-H women
Venice Kerubo
Rahab Wanjiru
400m-H men
Kipkorir Rotich
Nicholas Kiblimo
800m Women
Vivian Chebet
Lilian Odira
800m men
Kipngetich Ngeno
Aaron Kemei
1500m women
Mary Ekiru
Lydia Cheruto
1500m men
Brian Komen
Abel Kipsang
3000m SC women
Caren Chebet
Purity Cherotich
3000m SC men
Amos Serem
Simon Koech
Edmond Serem
5000m women
Beatrice Chepkoech
Mary Manalu
5000m men
Cornelius Kemboi
10000m women
Janet Chepngetich
10000m men
Francis Abong
Evans Keitani
Decathlon
Edwin Kemutai
20km walk men
Samuel Gathimba
Dominic Ndigiti
20km walk women
Emily Ngii
Sylvia Kemboi
High jump women
Zeddy Jesire
High jump men
Asbel Kemboi
Triple Jump men
Isaac Kirwa
Men javelin
Julius Yego
Women Javelin
Lalam Joyce
Officials
Jackson Kemoi (team manager)
Steven Etyang (co-ordinator)
Elkana Nyangau (head coach)
Eunice Sang (safeguarding officer)
Hellen Chepkoech (chaperone).
The team will proceed to the residential camp on Sunday at Kasarani and will jet out to Ghana before March 18.