Kenya stamps authority in schools' athletics

Richard Kimunyan (right) celebrates winning 10,000m with Rhonix Kipruto ( silver) during the 10,000m finals at the East Africa Secondary School Games at Kipchoge Stadium, Eldoret , Uasin Gishu County on September 2 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Hosts Kenya won a total of 41 medals, 15 gold, 18 silver and eight bronze to retain their overall Brookside East Africa Secondary Schools Athletics trophy.

Uganda accumulated 38 to finish second with 15 gold 10 silver and 13 bronze while Rwanda completed the podium with seven medals among them a silver and six bronze.

The Kenyan boys subdued their East African counterparts to retain the boys' title while their girls once again failed to overpower the Ugandans. The homeboys garnered 10 gold, nine silver and two bronze to total 21 three more than Uganda's five gold, four silver and nine bronze.

The Ugandan girls defended their title after winning 10 gold, six silver and four bronze forcing the Kenyans to play second fiddle with five gold, nine silver and six bronze.

Andrew Lorot signed off from the school games in style with a gold medal in the 5000m. The form four student at Riruta Central School, Nairobi cut the tape in a time of 14:22.1 to win gold as Nicholas Kimeli took silver 14:34.2.

Uganda's Boniface Sikowo took bronze 14:52.7. Jonah Kiprop won the boys' 800m race to give Kenya another gold while Burundi's Eric Ntikwinkunda settled for silver with Daniel Kiprop of Uganda taking bronze.

Lorot told Feverpitch that he will now shift focus to his class work as she waits to join the senior ranks.

''I wanted to leave the schools' scene with gold and I have achieved my goal. My focus now is on the national exams and the senior races thereafter," Lorot said.

Lilian Kasait bagged two gold medals in the girls' 5000m and 3000m. Kasait, a world junior champion, was in a class of her own as she outshone her opponents to take the 5000m title in a time of 16:29.1.

Evalyne Chelangat completed Kenya's one-two finish in a time of 16:30.3 with Rwanda's Celine Iranzi taking bronze at 16:52.5. Kasait was on fire as she crossed the finishing line after 9 minutes 26.9 seconds to win gold in 3000m.

Betty Chepkemboi was second clocking 9:35.5 whereas Iranzi finished third.

Esther Chebet of Uganda proved superior in the girls' middle distance races winning the 800m after 2:03.1. Iveen Chepkemoi of Kenya took silver while Lilian Odera of Kenya finished third.