FOCUS NOW ON RIO MEDALS: Stars set fast times in Eldoret ahead of Olympic Games

Margaret Nyairera on her way to win the women's 800m final during the National Olympics Trials on July 1,2016 at kipchoge Stadium, Eldoret.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

The Olympic trials held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret ended with exciting fairly tales.

The showpiece produced some of the best performances in Kenya’s athletics history.

Margaret Wambui Nyairera, the reigning world junior 800m champion, ran a jaw-dropping 1:58.27 — one of the fastest times in a high altitude and especially for a 21-year-old.

Her brilliant show sets the stage for a dogfight with South Africa’s 2009 world champion Caster Semenya and Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, the world indoor 800m champion, at the Olympic Stadium when athletics action get underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Watch me out. The same way I have beaten Sum here is the way I will beat Caster Semenya (South Africa’s 2009 world champion) in Rio Olympics,” said Nyairera.

Alfred Kipketer, another world junior 800m champion, pulled a fast one on Olympic champion David Rudisha and Ferguson Rotich, fourth at Beijing worlds, with an impressive 1:43.73, also a faster time for 19-year-old in a high altitude.

But Rotich said expectations are high for a good show in Rio de Janeiro as the opposition –that include Botswana’s Olympic silver medalist Nijel Amos and European champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse of France –seems not too strong.

“Kenya team is strong with Rudisha, Kipketer and I. We will make Kenyans proud,” said Rotich.

Two-time world 10,000m bronze medallist Paul Tanui posted a sizzling 27:46.15, which stands as one of the fastest times on Kenyan soil.

Charles Yosei (27:57.07) and Africa silver medallist Wilfred Kimitei (28:12.220 settled for second and third spots.

But selectors gave world 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki, fourth in Beijing worlds, wild cards.

Tanui, a Japan based athlete, said: “The race was tough, my aim is to return from Rio with a medal. I cannot imagine competing without Karoki and Kamworor because we have been helping each other. It’s good they have been handed wild cards.”

Kamworor, who pulled out of the race due to stomach pains, said: “I will recover in time and prepare for the Olympics.”

Africa champion Boniface Mucheru will team up with siblings Nicholas Bett, the world champion and Haroun Koech, Africa bronze medallist in the 400m hurdles.

Mucheru said: “The gold in Durban has given me hope going into the Olympics. The team is strong.”

Alphas Kishoiyan, the national 400m champion, ran a blistering 44.96 seconds to beat the Olympic qualifying standards (of 45.40) at Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

“I just wanted to qualify,” he said.