Kenya and Ethiopia dominated the opening day of the East Africa Under 18 and Under 20 regional athletics Championships at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar-es-salaam on Friday.
Kenya’s Joseph Lenkone set the ball rolling after posting 10.31 in the boys’ Under-20 100m race to win the country’s first gold. South Sudan’s Semi Thiel took silver in 10.63 while Tanzania’s Clement Elia 10.75 secs to claim bronze.
Elkana Kiprotich of Kenya also defied the humid conditions in Dar to win gold in the boys’ Under-20 400m race, clocking 47.03 secs ahead of South Sudan’s Semi Thiel who claimed his second silver in 47.78 as another Kenyan Peter Kithome 48.08 settled for bronze medal.
Kiprotich took bronze in the boys' Under-20 800m final, after failing to keep pace with the winner Eritreas Garza Fithawi (1:53.85), and fellow Kenyan Peter Kithome (1:54.42). Tanzania’s Baranaba Baraka completed the top four places in 2:31:32.
In the women’s Under-20 5000m, Ethiopia’s Asayech Ayichew clocked 17:10.02 to win gold ahead of Kenya’s Naomi Cheptoo (17:27.39) and Eritreas Sosnia Heleas (17:54.76), who settled for silver and bronze respectively.
Another Ethiopian Saron Barhe was the winner in the Under-18 800m race, where she clocked 2:06.19. Kenya’s Marion Jepng’etich (2:08.18) was second with compatriot Judy Kemunto third in 2:08.43.
Kemunto had a field day in the girls’ under-18 400 race as she took gold in 56:75. Ethiopia’s Serke Birile Yismaw took silver in 57;15 while Sudan’s Barkita John returned 59: 23 for third position.
It was also Ethiopia’s turn in the boys’ Under-18, 3000m with Yibilital Gashanu taking gold in 8:19.48. Kenya’s Amos Lagat took silver er in 8;20.38 while Girm Sesalegn clocked 8;23.20 to place third.
Kenyans interviewed complained about the humidity and lack of crowds to cheer them on. Cheptoo said she had severe headache despite settling for silver medal in the 5,000. “It’s not been easy for me and besides the humidity, I had top deal with my headache," she noted.
Lenkone on his part, said everything went as per the script and promised to keep soaring.
