Milcah Chemos won the all-Kenya battle

By Jonathan Komen and Andrew Nyasato

NAIROBI, KENYA: Two-time world 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Milcah Chemos won the all-Kenya battle in the women’s water and barriers race at the Rome Golden Gala on Thursday –the first European stop in this year’s IAAF Diamond League.

Chemos, a Kenya Police officer, sped away at the bell from her compatriot Lidya Chepkurui and, despite a ragged clearance at the final barrier, still had the speed to sprint away from her taller rival to win in 9:16.14, just a few seconds outside the meeting record and world lead for the event, with Chepkurui second in 9:18.10.

Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman fulfilled his role as the man to watch in the 800m by pulling away from the rest of the field over the final 150 metres to win in 1:43.61. French man newcomer and former European junior champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse followed in 1:43.91.

Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba settled for second again, like 12 months ago in Rome, this time in 4:01.62 while the USA’s 2011 World champion Jenny Simpson, the leader at 1200m, came home third in 4:02.30.

In Kisii, Caroline Nyakagwa staged sterling performance when she led from the start to the finish line to claim the 5,000m race at Gusii Stadium during the Nyanza South Athletics Kenya (AK) regional championships, yesterday.

Despite scorching sun, Nyakagwa of Kisii clocked 16:36.5 to qualify for the National Championships followed by Nyamira’s Damaris Areba in 16:54.3. Areba also made it to the 22-person team for the Nationals, while teammate Winfridah Moseti failed to qualify after returning home in 17:14.0

In men’s 5,000m, Kisii still dominated after Fredrick Moranga clocked 14:21.40, followed by compatriot Naphtali Kenyaga in 14:22.7, while Maurice Mosima, also of Kisii, failed to make it to the qualifiers’ bracket after clocking 14:42.6.

In 10,000m, favourite Edwin Mokua of Kisii did not disappoint after returning 28:16.0 closely followed by teammate Jairus Chanchima, who clocked 28:35.70 to make it to the national competition slated for June 20-22 in Nairobi.

But it was sad news for Bernard Kirui, James Nakeri, Geoffrey Bundi and Sammy Nyakaye who met national qualifying time, but were left out due to limited resources.

In the women’s 10,000m, Hyline Mongare of Nyamira clocked 36:43.0 to win after relegating compatriot Yunes Onyancha to second place in 37:32.9, while Lydia Ogwankwa (Kisii) came third in 38:23.0 followed by teammate Agnate Nyabuto in 48:15.0.

In women’s 3,000m, Naomi Nyang’au of Kisii clocked 10:51.6 to claim victory beating pre race favourite and teammate Damaris Ondieki to second place in 11:24.0, while Lydia Orango of Nyamira came third in 11:24.2 followed by Ruth Ketel of Migori in 11:40.2.