Boniface Mucheru strikes 400m hurdles gold in South Africa

Bonface Mucheru in action during a training session for the Africa Athletics Championship on June 13, 2016 at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Senegalese Amadou Ndiaye denied Kenya a 1-2 finish, taking silver in a 49.41 photo-finish.
  • On Thursday, Africa Cross Country silver medallist Sheila Chepkirui and Africa 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo completed a 1-2 finish for Kenya in women’s 5,000m final.

Kenya’s Boniface Mucheru finally won his maiden major title when he stormed to victory in men’s 400m hurdles on Friday at the ongoing Africa Athletics Championships at Kings Park, Durban.

Mucheru, who won bronze medals in 400m hurdles at the 2012 edition in Benin and 400m at 2014 edition in Marrakech before finishing fifth at the 2015 World Championships, clocked 49.20 seconds to win, as compatriot Harun Koech settled for bronze in 49.41.

Senegalese Amadou Ndiaye denied Kenya a 1-2 finish, taking silver in a 49.41 photo-finish.

RARE GOLD

Matthew Sawe gave Kenya a rare victory in high jump, the first in the event at the continental championships, when he scaled to 2.21m.

Kenya lost the men’s 3,000m steeplechase title for the first time since 2002 when Ethiopians Beyo Chala and Tolosa Gigsa swept to a 1-2 finish in 8:21.02 and 8:22.79 respectively with Kenyan Abraham Kibiwott going for bronze in 8:24.19. Another Kenyans Phenus Kiplenting settled fourth in 8:26.11.

African Games and and Africa Cross Country 10,000 metres champion Alice Aprot will go for a hat-trick of continental titles when she leads Kenya’s charge in women’s 10,000m final on Saturday.

African Games 5,000m bronze medallist Aprot and her teammates - 2009 World junior 3,000m bronze medallist Jackline Chepng’eno and Joyline Jepkosgei - are planning a coordinated assault to ensure the title remains in Kenya for the third consecutive time.

“We are well prepared for the race. I have been working on my finishing speed,” said Aprot, who is eying personal best in Durban. Aprot ran personal best 31min, 24.18sec when she won the African Games title last year in Congo Brazzaville.

Kenya claimed a 1-2 success in Marrakech where the reigning Commonwealth 10,000m champion Joyce Chepkirui and Emily Chebet won gold and silver respectively.

National 200m champion Mike Mokamba, Peter Mwai and Gilbert Otieno will field in men’s 200m while after failing her bid in 100m, Eunice Kadogo, will take a shot in women’s 200m heats alongside Millicent Ndoro and Mary Atanui. The 200m heats start at 10.30am.

National 400m hurdles champion Maureen Jelagat and Jane Chege will compete in first round of women’s 400m hurdles from 5.50pm, followed by women’s 800m heats at 6.15pam featuring Emily Cherotich, Winnie Chebet and Sylvia Chesebe. First round of men’s 1,500m will also be held today, with focus on Vincent Leting, Timothy Cheruiyot and Eric Kiptanui.

On Thursday, Africa Cross Country silver medallist Sheila Chepkirui and Africa 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo completed a 1-2 finish for Kenya in women’s 5,000m final.

Chepkirui crushed the championship record with victory in new time of 15:05.45, beating the previous championships record of 15:32.72.Chelimo took silver in 15:07.56.