Kenyan juniors top the field in Tanzania
Maureen Thomas dashes to the finish line during Athletics Kenya National Junior Trials on April 5, 2016 at Nyayo Stadium. Thomas won the women’s 200m and 400m titles at the East and Central Africa Junior Championships in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Stellar performance by national team at the East and Central Africa Athletics Championships
- Captain Maureen Thomas, guided her compatriots to a 1-2 finish in the women’s 200m and 400m races.
- Kenyan boys also dominated to both 4x100m and 4x400m as the women went for the 4x400m relays.
Kenya on Saturday bagged 10 gold medals to retain the title as the East and Central Africa Junior Athletics Championships ended at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
In total, the team of 20 Kenyan athletes collected 25 medals; 13 gold, nine silver and three bronze. This is a strong showing ahead of the World Junior Championships scheduled for Poland in July.
Captain Maureen Thomas, guided her compatriots to a 1-2 finish in the women’s 200m and 400m races.
Peter Lagat clocked 13:43.86 to win the men’s 5,000m title and Wycliffe Kanyamal claimed the 800m crown with 1:50.17. Bethwell Kibet shone in the men’s triple jump a day after reigning supreme in long jump.
Kenyan boys also dominated to both 4x100m and 4x400m as the women went for the 4x400m relays.
Kevin Tonui launched Kenya’s medal haul on Friday with victory in 400m before World Youth 2,000m steeplechase silver medallist Sandra Chebet winning the women’s 5,000m title. Kibet wrapped up day one with victory in long jump.
Yesterday, Thomas clock 54:14 seconds to win the 400m race, edging out compatriot Jane Njogi in 56:85. Thomas, who finished fourth in 200m at the 2015 Youth Olympics, easily claimed the 200m race in 24.25, beating Eunice Mukonye to silver in 25.35.
Boaz Kiplagat bagged the 1,500m title in 3:39.46 and Anthony Kiptoo went for bronze in 3:40.33.
Ronald Afya, Kevin Tanui, Geoffrey Kiprotich and Moffat Ngari clocked 41.71 seconds to win the 4x100m relay. Josephine Chelagat won bronze in women’s 800m in 2:08.56.
