Kenya's Elias Ng’eno thrills crowd with good show in trials

Elias Ng’eno celebrates winning the 800M final during the Athletics Kenya Pre-Trials for Olympics at Nyayo National stadium in Nairobi on May 29, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

Elias Ng’eno, an athlete based at Global Sports Communication camp in Kaptagat, thrilled the small crowd in Nyayo Stadium yesterday as he produced a good show at the Athletics Kenya pre-Olympic trials.

Ng’eno ran a brilliant 1:43.84 in men’s 800m contest to qualify for Tokyo Olympic Games. Hillary Biwot (1:44.80), Noah Kibet (1:45.11) and Edwin Melly (1:45.51) followed. 

“I feel happy after making the qualifying time for the Olympic Games (1:44.80). It has not been easy but I want to thank my coaches at Global Sports Communication. I will get back to training and hopefully make the Olympic team,” said Ng’eno.

Vincent Keter (3:38.66) won men’s 1500m race ahead of Kamati Etieng (3:39.61) and 2011 world 1500m silver medalist Silas Kiplagat (3:40.00). 

“First time to win in the senior category. My hope to represent the country at the Olympics and the World Under 20. I have been training alongside Timothy Cheruiyot (world 1500m champion) and he has been an inspiration. All I need to do is improve on my endurance,” Vincent Keter, who has an Olympic qualification time of 3:34.59.

AS expected, Michael Kibet won men’s 5000m in 13:21.39 ahead of Emmanuel Kiprop (13:22.81) and Victor Kiprop (13:26.27)

“I am happy for the win. My focus is to train for the Olympic trials. It is a good improvement from what I ran on Thursday when I clocked 13:34 but today I managed 13:21.