By Ernest Ndunda
Ibrahim Muya, the national 100m and 200m champion, proved to be the real deal as he won in both races during the fifth National Bank/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting at Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa.
Most of the elite sprinters from Prisons and Kenya Police featured in the two-day championships. Muya, a member of the Kenya Prisons, also anchored the warders 4x100m relay team to win the race. The Prison team has now won all the previous four-weekend meetings relay beating Kenya Police sprinters.
Joyce Zakary (left) and Thomas Musembi competing in relay race at the National Bank weekend meeting in Mombasa on Saturday. [PHOTOS: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD] |
Kituu (John) was second with a time of 23.5 with Wellington Nyakundi of Prisons clocking 24.1 seconds.
In 110m hurdles men, Emmanuel Kimeu of Police was the winner after he took just 15.2 seconds while John Kituu (Police) was second with a time of 15.4. Charles Tilikia who entered as an individual was timed at 16.0 seconds for the third slot.
Police dominate
In 400m, Vincent Makori and Newton Rono both of General Service Unit (GSU) showed good skills off the blocks as they went on to triumph. Makori was the winner in 50.2 seconds ahead of Rono who was credited with a time of 50.4 for the second positions with Kombo Twalib of Kenya Prison Coast team clocking 50.6 seconds for the third position.
In 400m hurdles John Kituu (Kenya Police) finally won with a time of 52.5 seconds beating Kimeu (Emmanuel) to the second position with a time of 53.7 seconds. Tilikia (Charles) timed 57.2 seconds for the third position.
In 800m men race, it was Ian Kipchumba running as an individual that carried the day. With top runners giving the meeting a bye, Kipchumba took 1.51.6 ahead of Francis Kakozi (Police) 1.51.8 and Paul Nzoka who used 1.52.2 seconds. In 1,500m, Ian Kipchumba won with a time of 3.56.9 beating Titus Kathoka 3.57.0 and Francis Kakozi 3.57.7.In women races, Kenya Police’s Joyce Zakari continued her rebound with a scintillating performance in the 100m, which she won in 11.8 seconds. Marylin Chelagat 12.4 and Getrude Opollo 12.7 of Police settled for second and third positions.
The event was graced by Athletics Kenya vice chairman Paul Mutwii. He announced that AK election would be held immediately after the 2012 London Olympics in September. Mutwii asked retired athletes, coaches and other officials who are interested to register as members to avoid them locked out of the election.