High-voltage Viola hits double
AFP | WILLIAM WEST/FILE
Kenya's Viola Jelagat Kibiwott competes during the 1500m women qualification event of the Track and Field competition of the XIX Commonwealth games on October, 7 2010 in New Delhi.
Former world junior champion Viola Jelagat Kibiwott set Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, ablaze when she completed a double as the third Athletics Kenya/National Bank of Kenya weekend meeting ended on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, who is one of Kenya’s favourites to win a gold medal in the London Olympics Games, won the 800 metres and 1,500m races in style.
Kibiwott did not compete in her 5,000 metres specialty, opting instead to compete in the two middle distance races to build her speed.
“With just four months remaining before the London Olympics Games, I have decided to test my speed and that is why I have decided to participate in the two middle distance races to gauge my speed,” said Kibiwott, who trains under coach Patrick Sang.
Ready for battle
The member of Global Club in Kaptagat, Keiyo County, said that at the next weekend meeting, in Kitale on April 6-7, she will run the 5,000m.
“I now know how to approach the 5,000 metres race and I’m ready for the battle,” she declared.
In the 800m, Kibiwott proved that she is the best in the two-lap race when she clocked two minutes, 4.7 seconds to breast the tape ahead of policewoman Mary Kuria, who returned 7:06.3. Jepleting Busienei of Lanet was a distant third in 2:07.5.
Kibiwott maintained her winning streak to once again reign supreme, crossing the 1,500m finish line in an impressive 4:15.4.
The country’s leading female steeplechaser, Milkah Chemos of Police, led her team mate Lydia Chepkurui to take the second and third position in a time of 4:20.0 and 4:21.6, respectively.
Peter Chesang of Kamasaba Club was triumphant in the grueling 10,000m men’s race, where he was timed at 29:14.1.
Hot on the victor’s heels was Nicholas Kirui (29:21.2) of Kaptagich with Peter Kitur (29:26.7) of Mosoriot coming third.
In a hotly contested men’s 800m, Hosea Kandie (Lanet) was made to fight every inch of the way before emerging the winner in 1:49.3.
Isaac Rono (1:49.5) of Embakasi took the second position and Peter Langat (1:49.9) of Bomet the third.
