• Teen sensation Edmund Serem dazzled in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, winning final 1 in 8:20.05.
• Mary Ekiru cruised to victory in the women’s 1,500m in 4:08.05 followed by Caroline Nyaga (4:09.07) and Nancy Cherop (4:12.03).
Image: Teddy Mulei
After clinching the men’s 10,000m title during the National Championships at Ulinzi Complex on Wednesday, Roncer Konga has set his sights on the continental crown at the June 21-26 African Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
Konga sealed the title in 28:33.03 ahead of Joseph Kiptum (28:33.97) and Stanley Njihia (28:34.72).
Konga declared: “In Cameroon, Kenya should expect gold in the 10,000m. My win here has significantly boosted my confidence.”
“I was well-prepared for today’s race. The competition was fierce but I was confident I would come out on top.”
Konga finished second during the Kenya Defence Forces Championships in (28:30.35) behind Kibiwot Kandie (28:27.10).
Kiptum also expects a podium finish in Cameroon. “I will go back to training and improve on my weak areas,” he noted. “I wasn’t expecting a podium finish today as it’s been a while since I competed in the 10,000m. But my training proved my body was ready.”
Teen sensation Edmund Serem dazzled in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, winning final 1 in 8:20.05. Collins Kiprop (8:34.89) and Yonah Kimtai (8:42.73) took second and third respectively. Simon Koech ruled the second final in 8:18.45 followed by Mathew Kosgei (8:35.60) and Wesley Lagat (8:41.01).
Serem assured of his commitment to bring home gold from Cameroon. “I promise my fans I will return with an African Championships gold medal.”
Serem, who trains under renowned coach Patrick Sang, said his victory was due to intense training before the championships.
“The race has been good. My coach had prepared me well for it and I am grateful I got the win,” said Serem, brother to Amos Serem — the 2021 World Under 20 3,000m steeplechase champion.
He said Amos has helped him build his speed and technique over the barrier.
Mary Ekiru cruised to victory in the women’s 1,500m in 4:08.05 followed by Caroline Nyaga (4:09.07) and Nancy Cherop (4:12.03).
“The race was really competitive. It went down to the last few metres for me to clinch the title,” said Ekiru, who won a bronze medal at the African Games in March (4:06.22). Hirut Mero (4:05.71) and Kumea Abera (4:06.09) of Ethiopia clinched gold and silver medals respectively.
She is confident of a podium finish in Cameroon.
“I am happy to be representing Kenya again. I am looking forward to a podium finish,” she noted.
Mike Mokamba clocked 20.62 to win the men’s 200m ahead of Samuel Chege ( 20.63 ) with Dan Kiviasi ( 20.71).
Last year, Chege placed second in 21.00 behind Boniface Mweresa (20.78) and Kiviasi third in 21.00.
Chege said a podium finish will inspire him as he focuses on.
African race walk champion Emily Ngii retained her 20km title after clocking 1:40:30. Sylvia Kemboi (1:41:43) and Margaret Gati (1:45:55) were second and third.
Samule Gathimba also retained his title men’s 20km race walk in 1:26:57. Heristone Wanyonyi (1:27:80) and Steve Ndangili (1:31:28) completed the podium placings.
Esther Mbagari retained her 100m and 200m double.
She clocked 11.77 in the 100m followed by Monica Safania (11.93) and Eunice Kadogo (12.02).
In the 200m, Mbagari clocked 23.63 ahead of Loice Morara (24.30) and Lilian Owako (24.75).
Last year, Mbagari won the 100m in 11.68 and the 200m in 23.63.
Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek continued with her dominance in distance running, adding the 5,000m to the 10,000m gong she had won on Tuesday.
She timed 15:26.05 to beat Mercy Gitahi (15:36.20) and Glorious Jepkirui (15:46.22) to second and third respectively.
Top win the 10,000m, Cheptoyek clocked 32:31.8 ahead of Gladys Kwamboka (32:43.4) and Faith Chepkoech (33:04.0).