Kenya finish second at African Athletics Championships
Kenya Norah Jeruto (centre) leads teammate Agnes Chesang (left) in the 3000m steeplechase finals for women during day 5 of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships held in Durban, South on June 26, 2016. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- Jeruto led a Kenyan 1-2 sweep with a sterling performance at Kings Park Stadium that saw her post a new championships record time of 9:25.07.
- Grace Wanjiru and Samuel Gathimba registered championships' record victories of 1:30:43 and 1:19: 24 in women and men’s 20km race walk.
- Kipserem, who was making his debut for Kenya was in a class of his own to also set a new Championships record time of 13:13.35.
The 2011 World Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto and Douglas Kipserem wrapped up the Confederation of African Athletics Championships in style for Kenya with victories in women’s 3,000m steeplechase and men’s 5,000m races in Durban on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, Grace Wanjiru and Samuel Gathimba registered championships' record victories of 1:30:43 and 1:19: 24 in women and men’s 20km race walk. The results saw Kenya finish second behind hosts South Africa in medal standings with 24 medals. (eight gold, eight silver and eight bronze).
Jeruto led a Kenyan 1-2 sweep with a sterling performance at Kings Park Stadium that saw her post a new Championships record time of 9:25.07. She erased the previous time of 9:29.54 set by Ethiopian Hiwot Ayalew in 2014.
Jeruto’s compatriot Agnes Chesang settled for silver in 9:27.22. The Kenyan men relinquished the men’s 3,000m steeplechase title for the first time since 2002 to Ethiopian Beyo Chala on Wednesday.
Kipserem, who was making his debut for Kenya was in a class of his own to also set a new Championships record time of 13:13.35, beating home athlete Elroy Gelant to silver in 13:15.13. Kenya's Mangata Ndiwa bagged bronze in 13:16.85.
The 4x400m men’s team improved by one step to don silver in 3:04.25, losing the battle to Botswana who retained the title in 3:02.20. South Africa got bronze after posting 3:04.73.
Kenyan women’s team won bronze in 4x400m in 3:30.21 in the race won by hosts South Africa 3:28.49. Nigeria took silver in 3:29.94.
National 400m hurdles champion Maureen Jelagat, who is also the 2010 Africa 400m hurdles bronze medallist and Timothy Cheruiyot gave Kenya silver medals in women’s 400m hurdles and men’s 1,500m.
Jelagat clocked personal best 56.12, a result that saw her beat the Olympic qualifying time of 56.20. Jelagat, however, lost the battle to Wenda Nel from South Africa who posted a time of 54.86.
Cheruiyot and compatriot Vincent Letting failed in their bid in men’s 1,500m finals, timing 3:39.71 and 3:40.78 to bag silver and bronze respectively in the race won by Moroccan Fouad Kaam who timed 3:39.49.
Emily Cherotich claimed bronze in 2:00.70 in women’s 800m. Caster Semenya of South Africa won the race in 1:58.20 as Malika Akkaouiu got silver in 2:00.24.
Alex Kiprotich also won bronze in men’s javelin with a throw of 74.08m, losing to Philmar van Rensburg (South Africa) 76.04.
KENYAN MEDALLISTS
GOLD: Sheila Chepkirui (5,000m), Boniface Mucheru (400m hurdles), Matthew Sawe (high jump), Alice Aprot (10,000m), Grace Wanjiru (20km race walk), Samuel Gathimba (20km race walk), Norah Jeruto (3,000m steeplechase), Douglas Kipserem (5,000m).
SILVER: Wilfred Kimitei (10,000m), Maureen Jelegat (400m hurdles), Margaret Nyairera (400m), Agnes Chesang (3,000m steeplechase), men's 4x400m, Timothy Cheruiyot (1,500m), Jackline Chepng'eno (10,000m), Margaret Chelimo (5,000m).
BRONZE: Alex Kiprotich (javelin), Harun Koech (400m hurdles), Vincent Leting (1,500m), Emily Cherotich (800m), women's 4x400m, Joyline Kosgei (10,000m), Mangata Ndiwa (5,000m)
(Editing by Joel Odidi)
