Zakayo, Waithaka light up Kasarani to book World U-20 slots
Edward Zakayo (left) shares a light moment with his coach Eric Kimaiyo after winning men's 5000m during the World Championships Under-20 trials at Kasarani on June 12, 2018. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |
What you need to know:
- World Under-18 400m hurdles silver medallist Moitalel Mpoke (Nairobi) timed 50.87 to prevail in men's 400m hurdles as James Mucheru (Nairobi) clocked 51.23 for second to all book their tickets to Tampere.
Commonwealth 5000m bronze medallist Edward Zakayo and National Cross Country Under-20 champion Stanley Waithaka strutted to a 1-2 finish in men's 5000m final on Tuesday to earn berths to the World Under-20 Championships due July 10-15 in Tampere, Finland.
World Under-18 400m hurdles silver medallist Moitalel Mpoke (Nairobi) timed 50.87 to prevail in men's 400m hurdles as James Mucheru (Nairobi) clocked 51.23 for second to all book their tickets to Tampere.
There was a shocker in women's 3,000m final when World Under-20 and Under-18 3,000m silver medallist Emmaculate Chepkirui (South Rift) was beaten by Zena Jemutai (South Rift) and Mercy Chepkorir (South Rift), who claimed the tickets to Tampere.
Zakayo, World Under-18 3,000m silver medallist, tore the blue tartan track at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in 13 minutes and 19.73 to triumph.
Zakayo edged out Waithaka to second place in 13:23.66 to set yet another possible showdown with Ethiopian World Under-18 3,000m champion Selemon Barega in Tampere.
Zakayo ran a tactical race, surging from behind in the last three laps to win.
"I had prepared well for the race and I'm very happy to have led with my good friend Stanley Waithaka coming in second position," he said.
Zakayo said he had worked on his mistakes after losing to Barega in the World Under-18 last year.
"I was beaten last year by Barega (Selemon) and this time round I want to beat him in Finland," said the form three student.
"We had planned how to run and we wanted to make the team with Zakayo. We are going to work on a few things before the race and our target is to win gold and silver," said Waithaka.
Jemutai clocked 9:06.92, beating Chepkorir to second in 9:06.96.
Chepkirui finished a distant eighth in 9:21.59.
Jemutai, a class seven pupil at Keringet Boarding Primary School, said that good training back at home made her perform well.
"Last year I narrowly missed to make the team for World Under-18 after finishing third. This year, I really wanted to be in the team and I'm happy I made it," said Jemutai.
