Kenya Defence Forces' Rukia Nusra will seek to break the national 100m hurdles record during the national championships/African Championships trials at Nyayo Stadium next month.
Rukia bagged the KDF title during the inter-unit championships at Ulinzi Sports Complex over the weekend. She clocked 14:30 ahead of Jane Chege (15.21) and Florence Akinyi (16.13).
“The last few weeks have been cold and rainy, making it tough to train. But we are doing our best,” Rukia told The Star.
“Expect a new national record from me in the 100m hurdles (in June)."
She hopes to shine at the Senior Africa Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in June, to atone for her failures at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, in March. She finished sixth in Accra in 14.09.
“The weather was a bit challenging in Accra. Additionally, I wasn’t confident enough, which led to my poor performance," she said.
"I think I am more confident now. I have improved on my speed between the hurdles.
The 22-year-old, who has a personal best of 13.70, hopes to make Team Kenya to the Paris Olympic Games in July.
However, she must attain the 12.77 qualifying mark for the French bonanza.
“I hope to lower my personal best of 13.70, the national record, to qualify for the Olympics,” Rukia said.
Rukia, who came into the limelight in 2017, is training at the Nyayo Stadium under Sammy Tangui.
