• Rodgers Kiprop was the surprise winner in the T11 5,000m race during the Africa Para athletics trials held at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Image: CONSOLATA MAKOKHA
Rodgers Kiprop was the surprise winner in the T11 5,000m race during the Africa Para athletics trials held at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani warm-up track yesterday.
Samuel Mushai settled for second place in both his T11 5,000m and 1,500m specialities as sprinter Henry Nzungi topped the T12 100m and 400m. Mushai said it was all about qualifying for Marrakesh.
“Nothing much is at stake today (yesterday). I just needed to qualify but going forward, I am not leaving anything to chance. I was not under any pressure,” said Mushai who is guided by James Boit. Kiprop beat the seasoned and double gold medallist(T11 5,000 and 1,500m), Samuel Mushai at both the worlds and Rio Olympic to finish top.
In the 5,000m T12 category, Davis Ruto topped the pack after timing 15:00.5. Jonathan Limo (15:40.2) and Bernard Kosgei (15:55.00 finished second and third respectively as Kaize Pyatich (17:11.5) completed the top four places. In 5,000m T11, Kiprop clocked 15:42.5 to finish three seconds ahead of the well decorated Mushai who timed 15:45.1.
Olympian Eric Sang was third in 15:50 as Wilson Bii came in fourth timing 15:59.3. Mushai once again finished second to Wilson Bii in the T11 1,500m. Bii posted 4:25.8 while Mushai clocked 4:26.1.
Kiprop was third in 4:37.7 ahead of fourth-placed Sang timed at 4:28.1. Nzungi timed 52.4 in the T12 400m and 11.8 in 100m to secure a place in the Marrakesh team. He beat Gilbert Lagat (52.6) and John Toroitich (55.0) to the second and third places respectively in the 400m.
The remaining two positions on the 100m podium went to Alex Kivuti (11.9) and Wilson Kirwa (12.1) Irene Cherono posted the best time of 29.4 in women’s 200m (T46) race to beat Elizabeth Adhiambo who finished in 47.3. Sprinter Hannah Ng’endo timed 29.8 in the T12 200m event.
In the 5,000m class T46, Wesley Sang and Felix Kipruto recorded 15:33.8 and 16:05.1 respectively to take the top two places. Hillary Tarus, the sole entry in T47 in the distance recorded 15:15.6 while Bethwel Kipruto also the only athlete in class T20 5,000m clocked 18:11.8.
Davis Ruto ruled T12 1,500m in 4:12.3 as John Toroitich came second in 4:13.1 and Jonathan Limo sealed the top three position in 4:14.3. Bernard Kosgei posted 4:27.6 for fourth place.