Joy as up-and-coming athletics stars light up AK meet at Nyayo

Winner 10,000M Women Agnes Mumbua (left) and Dorothy Kipkilach in 3rd position during the first track and field weekend meeting at The Nyayo national stadium on Friday, Feb 5, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It was a meeting that had low expectations from athletics enthusiasts.

But the script looked different as the two-day Athletics Kenya track and field meeting lived up to its billing.

Newcomers emerged from obscurity to fashion a new order at the first track and field meet, which sets the stage for campaigns for places in teams to World Athletics Championships in Eugene, USA, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK. 

Little known Agnes Mumbua was oozing pure class as she obliterated a strong team to win the 10,000m in 33:17.18.

Emily Chenet (33:55.52), Dorothy Kipkikach 33:57.29 and Mercy Chepkorir (35:36.63) came second, third and fourth respectively as Peninah Kandie (36:47.93) and Agnes Nyambuto (38:23.67) sealed the top six spots.

A jubilant Mumbua said: “This is not my first win 10,000m. But it will motivate me as I strive to make my first appearance in the national team.

“My tactics worked out well today. I will decide on whether to take 5,000m or 10,000m at the national trials. But I am better in 10,000m because I do not have a good speed. I have the endurance.”

Josephine Chelangat wore the women’s 1,500m crown in 4:11.02 ahead of 2016 Africa cross country junior champion Mirriam Cherop (4:11.04), Caroline Nyaga (4:14.27) and Treveen Chepkemoi (4:19.04). Brenda Chebet (4:19.65) and Monica Margaret (4:20.84) followed in that order.

Olympian Mary Moraa shrugged off stiff opposition to lift the women’s 400m title in 53.41 beating Linda Kageha (54.73), Mercy Adina (55.18) and Damaris Mutunga (55.22). Moraa, a member of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games squad, said she longs to make the cut to World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

“I decided to compete in 400m to gauge on my speed as I prepare to battle for a place in national teams in 800m. I really hope to win a medal,” said Moraa.

African 20km walk sensation Emily Ngii (1:43.6) was too good for Sylvia Kemboi (1:96.4) and Naum Chepkurui (1:50.56) in women 10km walk contest. Violet Chepkurui (2:04.4) and Grace Thoiti (2:05.3) followed.

Winner 10,000M Women Agnes Mumbua during the first track and field weekend meeting at The Nyayo national stadium on Friday, Feb 5, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

In the men’s front, Stanley Kieti topped 400m duel in 47.06 ahead of William Raiyan (47.21), Elkana Kiprotich (47.59) and Kelvin Kiprotich (47.61).

Elijah Mathew won 200m race in 21.09 seconds beating Boniface Mweresa (21.23), Hesbon Ochieng (21.23) and Wiseman Were (21.39) as Stephen Oluoch (21.47), Collins Omae (21.50) and Mark Kangethe (21.62) followed.

In 100m, Uganda’s Benson Okoth stood as the day’s showstopper as he won in an impressive 10.0 seconds.