Kwemoi in fine form: Japan-based youngster wins 10,000m as junior trials begin

Rogers Kwemoi braved the cold and rainy weather to win men’s 10,000m finals during the first day of National Trials for IAAF World Junior Championship at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

Athletics Kenya is using the championship to select a team to represent the country at IAAF world under 20 Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Despite rainy conditions being experienced in Nairobi, Kwemoi pushed hard in the final two laps, increasing his gap to more than 20 metres to win the race in 28:36.6 ahead of Ronald Kirui, who settled for the second place timing 28:37.9. Mathew Kimeli, finished third clocking 28:40.5.

After missing tenth position at the IAAF Cross Country World Championship in Guiyang China, Japan-based Kwemoi has put world junior tittle in crosshairs this year.

“I decided to push and I realised that I could win. I enjoyed the race, despite the difficult weather conditions because I’m used to running in the same condition in Japan where I ran for Isan Kogyo. I really struggled at the World Cross Country last year but I’m now in a good shape and believe I can win a junior tittle before graduating to senior ranks next year,” said Kwemoi.

World Youth 1,500m champion Kumari Taki (3:51.7), Edwin Kiptoo (3:42.8) and Lawi Kosgei (3:51.2) easily qualified for the today’s 1,500m finals.

In the men’s 200m heat one, Boaz Onyancha produced a 22.23 dash to finish ahead of Markson Sirere (22.38). In the second heat, Aaron Kimutai easily won the race in 22:38 beating Pius Muiya Musyoki (22:60) to second place.

Wesley Ledama will face off with Robert Mwei in the men’s 5,000m finals after clocking 13:62.3 and 13.67.5 respectively in today’s finals.