Head coach Mwaniki defies odds to guide team to the top of continental event

A Kenyan athlete lifts up teammate Edward Zakayo after he won the Men's 5000m event on the final day of the African Athletics Championship at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State in midwestern Nigeria, on August 5, 2018. Kenya finished with 11 gold medals, six silver and two bronze with South Africa on nine gold, 13 silver and eight bronze. / AFP PHOTO

How Kenyan athletes carried hopes of a nation

Focus now shifts to the final legs of Diamond League Series and next year’s Doha World Championships.

Despite experiencing travel tribulations to Nigeria for the Senior Athletics Championships, Kenyans once again proved why when it comes to track and field events, they are the team to beat.

After a rather slow pace on the opening day of the championships, Team Kenya produced a scintillating show on the final day to top medal standings during the Championships in Asaba, Nigeria.

The victory was Kenya’s fourth since the inaugural edition in 1979.

Boasting World Champions and record holders, Team Kenya topped the medal table with 11 gold, six silver and two bronze medals.

South Africa finished second securing nine gold 13 silver and eight bronze medals, while the hosts placed third with nine gold, six silver and five bronze.

The Eastern Africans, who were coached by Stephen Mwaniki of Kenya Prisons Service, defied all odds, including arriving just three hours to the start of the championships, after they failed to get connecting flights from Lagos.

Mwaniki, who was also in charge of the team when they topped the medal table in the 2010 Nairobi event said:

“We had selected very strong team. Our stars were really ready for this championships and we are satisfied with their performance,” said Mwaniki.

“Going forward, we want to focus on the IAAF World Championships in Doha next year, where I know the team will post even better results.”

After Tampere, Finland’s World Under-20 triumph, Edward Zakayo once again proved that Kenya’s future in track distance running is secure after bolting away in the final 200m to win his second major title in less than two months.

“When I arrived here, we were faced with many challenges. For me, I took the challenge as motivation to do well,” said Zakayo.

“My next assignment will school work for now,” added the Form Three student at Kapsait Secondary School, in Elgeyo Marakwet.

World 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi and World 1,500m silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot brought their invaluable experience to complete a 1-2 finish despite the hot and humid weather in Asaba.

“We wanted to sweep the podium; that was our plan, but we are glad we won gold and silver,” said Cheruiyot.

Another notable performance came from Millicent Ndoro, Eunice Kadogo, Joan Cherono and Fresha when they picked bronze in 4x100m on Friday.

On Sunday, Jared Momanyi, Alfas Kishoyian, Aaron Koech and Emmanuel Korir delivered a memorable race after they won in the 4x400m in a time of 3:00.02.

Another game changer was in women’s 4x400m, where Maureen Jelagat, Veronica Mutua, Navian Michira and Hellen Syombua won silver.

In Javelin, Julius Yego silenced his critics with a third African gold medal.