Athletics: Carvin Nkanata relishes moment despite missing podium

FROM LEFT: Stephen Barasa, Carvin Nkanata, Tony Chirchir and Walter Moenga after participating in the 4x200m race during World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas. [PHOTO:OMULO OKOTH/STANDARD]

For Carvin Nkanata, representing the country for the first time at the first ever World Relays Series was an amazing experience even if they missed the podium.

The 23-year-old science major at the University of Pittsburg in the United States got a surprise call-up to replace an athlete who failed to get a visa in time and he never disappointed in 4x200m.

“Going through to the final was good enough and I feel great about it,” he told reporters at the mixed zone inside the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium here in Nassau.

The quartet that also included Stephen Barasa, Tony Kipruto Chirchir and Walter Michuki Moenga, son of a former top sprinter Elkana Nyangau, finished their race in fifth position — 1:22.35 — which was not only their personal best but also a national record.

Yohan Blake anchored Jamaica’s Nickel Ashmeade, Warren Weir and Jermaine Brown to a world record time of 1:18.63 ahead of St Kitts and Nevis (1:20.51) and France (1:20.66). Barbados were fourth in 1:21.88.

The Kenyans were in agreement that the event still has some challenges which they hope to conquer with more competitions in future.

“We are used to the third athlete dripping inside the first lane after 100m. But here athletes were to stick to their lanes throughout,” said

Nkanata said this was a good experience as he has a big national event in the United States next week.

“I have never run in Kenya. I went to the US when I was three and I would like to come back home and participate in the Commonwealth Games Trials next month, but much will depend on my academic programme and schedule. Barasa, who was the team spokesman, thanked Athletics Kenya (AK), IAAF and his teammates for “a job well done.”