East Africa triple jump champ Gloria Mulei eyes medal

Gloria Mulei on her way to winning the women's junior long jump at the Third AK Meet at Thika stadium 2Second placed [Standard]

East Africa secondary schools girls’ triple jump champion Gloria Mulei highlights the 2017 Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year schools list of five nominees.

This follows an exceptional performance that saw her dominate the schools scene, where she won the regional triple jump title and silver in the long jump category.

She oozed class with her 12.12m jump that won her gold in this year's East Africa games in Gulu, Uganda.

Mulei, who is a student at the volleyball powerhouse Kwanthanze Secondary School, took a leap of faith to venture into events that many Kenyan athletes shy from. She was also the girl to beat during national school games.

Her star kept shining as she became the centre of attraction when she represented the country at the IAAF World Under-18 championships at Kasarani in July.

However, she faces stiff competition in the awards list from emerging hockey star Alice Owiti of Sinyolo girls. The upcoming striker was in a class of her own at the regional games scoring 18 goals.

Owiti was instrumental in Sinyolo’s campaign at the regional games as she led her side to their fifth successive title. She was also named Most Valuable Player at both the national and East Africa championships.

Others in contention are Olympic mixed tennis sensation Faith Nyabera, who won East Africa gold in doubles and silver in singles. Swimmer and last year’s SOYA winner Hadassah Gichovi will be hoping to complete a double after impressing at this year's regional games.

Gichovi of Loreto Convent Valley Road swam her way to new East Africa records. For the second year in a row, the 15-year-old was the best swimmer at both the East African and national games with 21 and 60 points respectively.

Gichovi’s efforts helped Kenya retain the overall swimming title. Kwanthanze volleyball setter Sharon Jepchumba completes the girls' list.

The boys’ award will be tightly contested by six players who impressed at both the national and regional games. Muhuri Muchiri rugby Sevens captain Harmony Wamalwa, who led his side to the East Africa title in their maiden appearance, will battle it out with compatriots from tennis, table tennis, swimming, and rugby 15s.

Wamalwa’s impact was felt at the national and East Africa games and his prowess saw him bag the MVP award in Uganda. Just like Wamalwa, Clinton Kioko excelled as he led Laiser Hill to reclaim the East Africa rugby 15s title and his efforts were rewarded when he walked away with the rugby 15s MVP prize.