Moraa, Ng'eno give Kenya first gold medals at African show

Alex Ng'eno and Sarah Moraa brought home Kenya’s first two gold medals on Day Three of the African Senior Athletics Championships at the Stade de Japoma in Douala, Cameroon.

Moraa spearheaded a Kenyan 1-2 finish in the women's 800m, crossing the line in 2:00.27, with national champion Lilian Odira securing silver in 2:00.36. Morocco's Soukaina Hajji claimed bronze, clocking 2:00.91.

Odira, aiming to help Moraa achieve the Olympic qualifying time of 1:59.30, expressed pride in their dominant performance.

 “We tried to push for the Olympic qualifying mark for Moraa. but though we didn’t hit the target, a 1-2 finish for Kenya is a great achievement,” she said. 

Odira now turns her focus to joining the Olympic camp. “I’ll spend a brief time with my family before heading to the Kenyan Olympic camp to prepare for the Paris Games,” added Odira.

In the men's 800m, Ng'eno led from gun-to-tape, clocking 1:45.02. Botswana's Kethobogile Hanguira (1:45.54) and Uganda's Tom Dradriga (1:46.01) completed the podium. 

Ng'eno, satisfied with his victory, plans to focus on the Diamond League races after missing out on the Olympic team.

 “I’m pleased with this result. My next target is the Diamond League races because I did not make Team Kenya for the Olympics,” he remarked.

Edmund Serem clinched silver in the men's 3,000m steeplechase, finishing in 8:21.94 behind Uganda's Leonard Chemutai (8:21.30), with Mathew Kosgei taking bronze in 8:21.98.

In the men's 400m, Boniface Mweresa narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in 45.62. Senegal's Cheikh Diouf (45.23), Botswana's Lee Eppie (45.39), and Nigeria's Samuel Ogazi (45.47) secured the top three spots.

Kenya hopes to continue its medal haul in upcoming events, including the women's 3000m steeplechase, men’s and women’s 1500m, women’s 10,000m and men’s and women’s 5000m. 

In the previous championships in 2022 in Mauritius, Kenya topped the medal table with 23 medals (10 gold, five silver, and eight bronze). South Africa was second with 36 medals (nine gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze) and Nigeria third with 11 medals (five gold, three silver and 3 bronze).

Gold 

Sarah Moraa

Kipgentich Ngeno 

Silver 

Mathew Kosgei L

ilian Odira 

Bronze 

Roncer Kipkorir 

Edwin Too