After winning the women’s 10,000m race at the national trials, Janet Chepng'etich has vowed to battle for a podium finish at next week’s African Games in Accra, Ghana.
The Praha 10km champion clocked 32:52.74 ahead of Edinah Jerotich (32:16.69) and Rebecca Njeri (33:40.19).
Chepng'etich expects to give a good account of herself when she makes her Team Kenya senior debut at the Games.
The 25-year-old won a silver medal in the 1,500m race during the 2015 World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia.
“I am glad I was able to make the cut in Team Kenya. I hope to get on the podium in my first senior international race,” she said.
She won the Udine Half Marathon in September 2022, clocking 1:08:24. She also clocked 32:29 to win the Hamburg 10km road race in the same month.
Chepng'etich attributed her win to the hard work in training in Keringet under coach Willy Lang;at.
“My win today is because of the tough training I have been put through by coach Lang;at. The race was tough but my training saw me through,” she added.
Jerotich is counting on an agreement between AK, Sports Council, Ministry of Sports and the athletes that the top three athletes will travel to Ghana.
“My target is to produce an even better performance at the African Games,” noted Jerotich.
The trials were delayed following concerns from athletes in relation to a limited quota for the games. The previous quota provided for 30 athletes and five officials.
However, it was agreed that the number of slots be increased subject to the athletes meeting the qualification criteria for the Games.
World 800m champion Mary Moraa clocked 51.47 to win the women’s 400m Semifinal One. Jackline Nanjala placed second in 53.71 with Veronica Kamumbe third in 54.63.
Millicent Ndoro won the women’s 200m Semifinal One, clocking 23.18. Brendah Masitsah won Semifinal two in 24.43.
Esther Mbagari continued her dominance in the women’s 100m, sailing to the finals in Heat 2 after clocking 11.79.
The 2019 Africa U20 champion Kipng'etich Ng'eno will battle the likes of 2018 commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal.
Ng'eno won his semifinal in 1:46.22 while Kinyamal clocked 1:48.34.
Isaac Kirwa of Kenya Police won the men’s triple jump final after clearing 16.67m ahead of Gilbert Lodengo (16.41m) and Philip Mutati (15.64m).
