Teachers’ Games: Hosts Thogoto shine in regional championship

Thogoto Teachers Training College (TTC) students sing school anthem after emerging the handball champions of 2017 at Machakos TTC grounds. March 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Thogoto’s Sarah Chemutai braved the chilly morning weather to win the 10,000m race as this year’s Nairobi Region Teachers Training Colleges Athletics Championships got underway yesterday at Thogoto Teachers College. The home girl crossed the finishing line in 44 minutes 10 seconds to be crowned champion.

Abigail Sawe of Kitui came in one minute 3.41 seconds later to take silver while Nancy Naserian also of Thogoto completed the podium in a time of 46:16.07.

In the men’s 5,000m contest, Kimutai Sirwa of Kitui was too good for his challengers, sealing the victory in a time of 15:44.78. Elias Yoporeng of Thogoto was second in 15:51.75 whereas Samuel Njoroge of Machakos took bronze.

All medallists in the 10,000m and 5,000m qualified to represent Nairobi at the national event that the region will host in a fortnight. Chemutai said she hoped to triumph at the nationals. “I worked very hard to be in good form. I have achieved my first goal and now that I will compete at the nationals I’m also determined to excel,” she said.

Thogoto’s duo of Viola Jepchirchir and Alice Kemboi were unrivalled as they dashed to take gold and silver in the women’s 400m hurdles. Jepchirchir carried the day in a time of 1:15.68 while 1:21.22 is the time it took her compatriot Kemboi to grab silver. Kitui’s Miriam Mbura completed the podium in a time of 1:26.07.

Hosts Thogoto dominated their guests once again as Celestine Naibei won the women’s high jump title. Naibei’s 1.35m jump was the best earning her gold while Naomi Kiptarus took silver for her 1.25m jump. Brenda Toroitich’s 1.20m was good enough to secure her a place at the podium.

Robert Mwangangi leapt 6.39m to win the men’s long jump competition. Emmanuel Kiprono of Kitui was second for his 6.37m jump whereas Boniface Simiyu took bronze after falling 0.1m short of Kiprono. [Elizabeth Mburugu]