•During last year's edition, Ngii clocked 1:36:35 to clinch the women's title in the 20km race walk. Ikate (1:40:01) and Susan Chepngetich (1:52:40) placed second and third respectively.
•Meanwhile, Leah Jeruto claimed her maiden title in the women's 3,000m steeplechase, clocking 9:47.46.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
African champion Emily Ngii showcased her dominance in the women's 10,000m racewalk, clinching the title at the 44th edition of the KDF track and field Championships on Tuesday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Ngii clocked 48:40.2 minutes to beat Assumpta Ikate to second in 52:15.1.
Naomi Chepkirui settled for third, clocking 53:25.4.
In a post-race interview, Ngii expressed her frustration with the weather conditions. "The only challenge was the weather. I aimed to clock between 43-44 (minutes), but the weather was not conducive for me," she said.
The 37-year-old athlete also attributed slow time to stomach complications. "I had stomach complications during the race and that slowed me down," Ngii stated.
During last year's edition, Ngii clocked 1:36:35 to clinch the women's title in the 20km race walk. Ikate (1:40:01) and Susan Chepngetich (1:52:40) placed second and third respectively.
Despite the challenges, Ngii was delighted to retain the racewalk title, stating, "I am happy I was able to retain the walk title despite the challenges."
Ngii now sets her sights on the national crown as well as the African Championships crown.
"Being able to retain my title is a huge motivation heading into the nationals. I want to clinch the title at the African Championships," she said. The African Championships are set for June 21-26 in Cameroon.
With the Olympic qualifying mark set at 1:29:20 in the women's 20km walk, Ngii boasts a personal best of 1:30:56 but hopes to meet the mark before the end of the qualification period.
"I aim to make the Olympic time. Clinching the African title is a booster as I gear up for the qualifications," she added.
During the African Games in Accra, Ghana, Ngii clinched the title by clocking 1:37:34. Ethiopia's Sintayehu Masire (1:38:07) and Algeria's Souad Azzi (1:39:43) sealed the podium finishes.
Pointing out areas of improvement before the National Championships, Ngii hopes to improve on her speed.
"I am looking at improving my speed. I will be doing a lot of speed work training as I prepare for the National Championships," Ngii noted.
Meanwhile, Leah Jeruto claimed her maiden title in the women's 3,000m steeplechase, clocking 9:47.46. Diana Chepkorir and Mercy Wanjiru secured second and third places respectively.
The 23-year-old noted that she had undergone rigorous preparations before the race to pull off a win. "I was well prepared for the race. My goal was to clinch the title today," she stated.
Jeruto, who specialises in the 400m hurdles, switched to the steeplechase following an impressive performance at the Kip Keino Classic on April 20.
"I am not a steeplechase athlete. I majored in the 400m hurdles. After taking part in the Kip Keino Classic, I saw potential and decided to take part in the race today and I am impressed with the results," she stated.
At the Kip Keino Classic, Jeruto placed second, clocking 9:39.94. Kenyan-Romanian Stella Rutto claimed the title in 9:39.57. She seeks to improve her technique over the barriers and water jump as she sets her sights on Olympic qualification.
"I want to improve on my jumps at the barriers and the water jump to boost my time," she revealed. In the men's 10,000m racewalk, Simon Wachira defended his title after clocking 43:05.4.
Stephen Mutuku placed second in a time of 43:49.5 with Nicodemus Musau (44:02.9) sealing the podium finish.
"The race was fair, I pushed myself to defend my title and I am glad I was able to," he noted. Last year, Wachira clocked 1:33:50 to clinch the 20km race walk title. Nicodemus Musau (1:37:49) and Peter Theuri (1:39:01) placed second and third respectively.
Going forward, Wachira hopes to make the Kenya team to the African Championships to boost his chances of making a second Olympic appearance.
"I hope to make Team Kenya to Yaounde because those will help in my bid to qualify for the Olympics," he added.
Belinda Obura cleared 14.24m to win the women's shot put title. Sarah Atieno (13.59m) and Monica Ruguru (12.84m) placed second and third respectively.
In the men's category, Leonard Bett cleared 15.66m to claim the title with Benson Maina (15.64m) and Caleb Chepkwony (15.18m) sealing the podium finish.