•Jeruto also pointed out the fierce competition from Chepkwemoi, whose blistering pace proved difficult to match.
•Brian Komen fulfilled his promise by clinching gold in the men’s 1,500m, clocking 3:33.95..
Image: AK
Leah Jeruto will feature in the Paris Diamond League on July 7 after clinching bronze in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at the African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
Jeruto clocked 9:36.33 to finish third behind Ethiopia’s Alemnat Wale (9:35.19) and Uganda’s Loice Chepkwemoi (9:24.47).
“My next assignment will be in France on July 7,” Jeruto stated after her successful outing in Douala.
Reflecting on the race, Jeruto highlighted the challenge posed by the rain but emphasised her determination to secure a podium finish.
“The weather was a bit challenging. It was raining but I did my best to secure a podium finish,” she said.
“After the first four laps, Wale was ahead of me. I decided that even if I did not win, I would walk home with a medal,” she added.
Jeruto also pointed out the fierce competition from Chepkwemoi, whose blistering pace proved difficult to match.
“Her pace was blistering. I was not able to keep up with her pace from the onset,” she pointed out.
Jeruto’s resume includes a second-place finish at the Kip Keino Classic on April 20, where she clocked 9:39.94 behind Stella Rutto (9:39.57).
She also has a bronze medal from last year’s KDF Championships, where she clocked 9:56.99 ahead of Marion Kibor (9:55.41) and Winnie Jemutai (9:45.11).
At the National Championships last month at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, she placed second in 9:50.57 behind Mercy Gitahi (9:45.08).
Brian Komen fulfilled his promise by clinching gold in the men’s 1,500m, clocking 3:33.95. Djibouti’s Ayanleh Abdillahi (3:36.24) and Boaz Kiprugut (3:37.25) completed the podium. Komen highlighted that he had fought for gold to make the nation proud.
“I was fighting for gold and now I have it. It’s a good feeling and I know the nation is proud of my results,” Komen stated.
In the women’s 1,500m, Caroline Nyaga had to settle for silver in a time of 4:06.76 behind winner Ethiopia’s Sharon Berhe (4:06.05) and third-placed Uganda’s Esther Chebet (4:06.90).
Kenyan quartet of Boniface Mweresa, David Sanayiek, Zablon Ekwam and Kelvin Kipkorir won silver in the men’s 4x400m clocking 3:02.34 behind Botswana (3:02.23).
The women’s 4x400m team of Esther Mbagari, Veronica Mutua, Joan Cherono and Mercy Chebet took bronze in a time of 3:32.65 behind Zambia (3:32.18) and Nigeria (3:27.31). The final day results take Kenya’s medal tally in Douala to 19 medals (five gold, seven silver and seven bronze).
Kenyan Medalllists
Gold
Sarah Moraa (800m)
Kipgentich Ngeno (800m)
Gladys Kwamboka (10,000m)
Brian Komen (1500m)
Julius Yego (Javelin)
Silver
Edmund Serem (3000m SC)
Lilian Odira (800m)
Rebeca Mwangi (10000m)
Herriston Wanyonyi (20km walk race)
Caroline Nyaga (1500m)
Asbel Kiprop (high jump)
Men’s 4x400m
Bronze
Roncer Kipkorir (10,000m)
Edwin Too (decathlon)
Mathew Kosgei (3000m SC)
Margaret Gati (20km walk race)
Leah Jeruto (3000m SC)
Boaz Kiprugut(1500m)
Women’s 4x400m