Kishoyian faces off with Mweresa in KDF trials today

It has been two days of high-octane performance in the Kenya Defence Force track and field trials.

The crème de la crème will take to the field in today’s finals at Kasarani Stadium as KDF names its team ahead of the national trials.

With Athletics Kenya’s season entering crucial stages, all eyes will be focused on the national trials for the summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

For the first time in the history of the national trials, they will be held at the newly refurbished Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret on June 14-15 and athletes are in top gear aiming to make the cut.

The sprint rivalry between Alfas Kishoiyian (Moi Air Base) and All Africa Games silver medallist Boniface Mweresa (Laikipia) will hit a notch higher today when the two square it out in the 400m final.

Kishoiyina, who is coached by Elkana Nyangau, a member of 1988 Seoul Olympics, easily booked his place in the 400m final, clocking 46.77, while Mweresa qualified in 47. 16.

“It feels good to race against Mweresa. I think it will be an interesting encounter,” said 21-year-old Kishoyian, who was member of Team Kenya to last year’s IAAF world Championship in Beijing, China.

National 200m champion Mike Mokamba is also aiming to improve on his personal best and attempt an attack at the KDF record of 20.30 set by his father-cum-coach Elkana Nyangau in 1988 during the Seoul Olympics.

“I am definitely aiming to break my father’s KDF record. I have a PB (personal best) of 20.48, which I want to lower to 20.28 seconds,” said Mokamba.

In yesterday’s semi-finals, Olympic 800m bronze medallist Timothy Kitum of Laikipia Air Base won in 1:46.3 to book a place in the final, where he will compete against Jackson Kivuva (1:49.9), Nicholas Kiplagat (1:43.3) and Jonathan Kitilit (1:46.9).

In men’s 1500m, Vincent Leting representing Lanet (3:47.1) will compete against Commonwealth champion James Magut of Kenya Navy, who clocked 3:47.3 in today’s finals.

London Marathon women champion Jemima Sumgong will line up in a Moi Air Base jersey in 10, 000m.

On Wednesday evening, Agnes Chesang of Isiolo (9:51.0) won the 3000m women final. Marion Kibor, who was representing Kahawa (9:57.5) finished second, while Mercy Njoroge of Moi Air Base, finished third in a time of 10.04.0.