Chepkemoi retains FEASSSA women's 5, 000m title in Kakamega

Joyline Chepkemoi leads Mercy Chepkemoi in the women's 5000m at Eregi TTC on Wednesday 

Junior international Joyline Chepkemoi has retained the women's 5,000m title as the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games gathered momentum at Eregi Teachers Training College grounds on Wednesday.

Chepkemoi on Wednesday retained the title which she won in Mbale, Uganda, last year. Chepkemoi, who won bronze at the recently concluded Africa Under-20 Championships, clocked 15:51.4 to win the race.

Compatriot Mercy Chepkemoi of Tiloa was second in 16:29.7 while Uganda's Chepkemoi Prisca from took bronze. in 17:41.9.

Joyline, who trains at Cheptonon, said: “I want to thank God for retaining my title as this was my goal. It was a good race, and the competition was easy.”

She added that she is now turning her focus to the cross-country season. “From here, I will shift gears to cross country. My target is to make Team Kenya for the World Cross Country Championships,” she noted. Track and field was earlier scheduled for Bukhungu Stadium but was moved to Eregi due to the poor state of the running track.

In the men’s race, Emmanuel Kiprono reigned supreme, bagging gold in 14:02.1, after beating Uganda’s Thomas Cheptoyek (14:23.4) to second place, and Uganda’s Israel Cheptoyek (14:50.8) to third.

Three-time National Secondary Schools 100m champion Brian Okoth of Riooga finally won gold on his third attempt. He clocked 10.4 secs, beating compatriot Luis Haweli to silver while Joshua Bwambale of Uganda completed the podium finish. Haweli clocked 10.7 secs, and Bwambale finished in 11.0 secs.

Okoth also anchored Team Kenya to victory in the men’s 4x100m relay. He was also in Kenya’s team that won gold in the men’s medley.

“It has been a good championship for me so far. I’m happy with my performance here, and I’m hoping to crown the games with the 200m gold,” said Okoth, who recently won a bronze during the Africa U20 championships in Nigeria.

Kenya dominated track and field events with Judy Kemunto bagging gold in the women’s 1,500m race. She clocked 4:14.0 and was followed in second place by Faith Chebet, who returned home in 4:18.0. Uganda’s Chebet Zamurah was relegated to third position in 4:49.0.

In the men’s category, Kenya’s Wilson Chepkwech posted 3:44.0 to beat Uganda’s Raymond Omara (3:44.0) to silver in a closely contested race. Kenya’s Ibrahim Kipruto (3:48.6) finished third.  

In the women’s 400m, Nancy Jepkosgei beat junior international Faith Oserio to win gold. Jepkosgei clocked 54.8 while Onserio finished second in 55.8. Mary Apoko of Uganda was third in 58.6.