Long distance specialist Collins Koros says nothing compares to the feeling of a first win in his athletics career after clinching the men's 10,000m at the Kenya Defence Force Athletics Championships at Nyayo Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Koros clocked 28:39.3 to cross the finish line ahead of Albert Barkach (28:42.5) and Abel Mutai (28:48.0), who finished second and third, respectively.
"This is my first win in the five years that I have been competing as an athlete. Although I have gained a podium finish in my past races, this is my first time taking the first position. It feels great to win this race because it was very competitive and demanding. All the other runners came for nothing less than a victory," Koros said.
He said the win is the perfect way for him to bounce back after a disappointing outing in Stockholm, Sweden, where he finished fifth in the men's 10,000m during the Stockholm 25 Laps to Tokyo competition at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium last week.
Pre-race favourite and World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie could only watch and cheer from the sidelines. Nonetheless, Koros doesn't think Kandie's absence diluted the level of competition in any way.
"It was unfortunate he could not join us today although I expected competition to be tough regardless of his absence. He's someone I know very well having trained with him and even competed against him at the National Cross Country Championships, where I finished third. It would have been great for him to also participate in this race," he said.
Despite failing to make the qualifying mark for the Tokyo Olympics in the Swedish capital, Koros has not given up on his dream of a place in Team Kenya's squad to the quadrennial showpiece.
"At this point, I am not yet sure of the competitions in which I will participate. I still hope to make it to the trials even though I am yet to receive an invite because of the qualifying time. However, I am sure if I make it to the trials then I won't disappoint," he said.
In the women's 5,000m, world champion Hellen Obiri carried on her hot streak to take top honours ahead of Joyce Chepkemoi and Sheila Chepkirui.
Obiri clocked 15:22.64 ahead of Chepkemoi (15:26.56) and Chepkirui (15:28.01) in second and third, respectively.
Fresh from winning bronze at the 2x2x400m mixed relay, Wiseman Were breezed to victory in the men's 110m hurdles ahead of Michael Musyoka and William Mbevi.
Were timed 14.20 whereas Musyoka and Mbevi ran 14.29 and 16.24 respectively to finish second and third.
The annual championships, which brings together different divisions within the disciplined force, continues today and tomorrow with more heavyweight clashes on the cards.
