• Kwamboka was over the moon after securing a double. She won the 5,000m race on Wednesday and went on to clinch the 10,000m title on Thursday.
• Tinega was also a standout performer, winning the 200m dash in 21.41 and the 400m race in 46.22. He went ahead to anchor his team, General Service Unit, to the 4x400m title.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
The National Police Championships lived up to its billing as several top stars struck multiple titles at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Maximilla Imali, Abel Kipsang, Gladys Kwamboka, Brian Tinega, Diana Chebet and Roselyne Rakamba all won the races they attempted with Imali striking a hattrick of titles in the sprints.
The national women’s 100m record holder braced the hot weather as she powered to win 100m in 11.67 ahead of Monica Safaniah ( 11.76 ) and Eunice Kadogo.
The 27-year-old also beat the duo of Safaniah and Kadogo to win the 200m race despite a slow start.
“I am so proud of the win. It is not easy to claim a double especially when you have to race against similar athletes. I did not expect to win a double but God made it possible. I give credit to my coach and my training since it’s from them that am able to win these races,” said Imali.
The 2019 All-African Games 4x100m relay bronze medallist added the long jump title to his two-day success with a 5.81m hop. Safaniah was second with a 5.39m jump with Winny Langat hitting 5m for the bronze medal.
Despite the dominance, Imali says she still needs to work on her start at the blocks as well as her mentality.
“These races have shown me that I need to work on my starts. I also need to get my mentality stable and straight since a lot is going through my head,” she said.
Kwamboka was over the moon after securing a double. She won the 5,000m race on Wednesday and went on to clinch the 10,000m title on Thursday.
“10,000m is my race and I was coming for the gold medal though I knew it would not be easy, especially after competing on Wednesday,” she said.
“I am so proud to win both races. This double win gives me the confidence to emulate my mentor Hellen Obiri,” stated Kwamboka.
She won the race in 33:05.57 ahead of Stacy Ndiwa ( 33:05.67 ), who retained her silver from last year’s event. Sandra Felis Chebet retained her bronze medal in 33:07.99.
Abel Kipsang torched quality fields in both the 800m and 1,500m races. The world indoor 1,500m bronze medallist clocked in 3:36.84 to beat the 2017 world champion over the distance Elijah Manangoi to second in 3:38.50. Mayabei Kiplimo completed the podium positions in 3:38.52.
Kipsang stuck with Manangoi and Kiplimo until the final 200m when he sprinted to victory. “It feels nice to win these races, which were very competitive. The hot weather made it more tricky for speed but am happy to have won. My focus now shifts to the national trials,” he said.
In the 800m race, Kipsang clocked 1:48.14 ahead of William Rayian in 1:48.26 while Jeremiah Mutai finished third in 1:49.80.
Tinega was also a standout performer, winning the 200m dash in 21.41 and the 400m race in 46.22. He went ahead to anchor his team, General Service Unit, to the 4x400m title.
Chebet also made the list of double champions after winning the women’s 100m hurdles in 14.67 and the 400m hurdles in 58.83. Roselyne Rakamba joined the list with victories in women’s discus and hammer with throws of 46.8m and 54.06m respectively.
Daniel Simiu tore the Kasarani blue track to defend his 5,000m title in 13:40.86, beating Robert Kiptoo (13:58.24) to second while Stephen Kipkoech finished third in 13:59.33
Commonwealth Games champions Mary Moraa and Beatrice Chebet annihilated their competitors to win the 400m and 1,500m races respectively.
Moraa, the 400m national record holder, set a meet record of 50.67 ahead of Millicent Ndoro (53.22) and Veronica Mutua (53.40). Chebet, who is also the 5,000m African champion, won the three-and-a-half-lap race in 4:07.18 ahead of Brenda Chebet (4:09.28) and Caroline Nyagah (4:11.66). Chebet stated that she is using the race to improve her speed ahead of the World Championships in Budapest.
Nairobi emerged the overall winner with 35 medals (eight gold, 11 silver and six bronze) while the National Police College main campus were second with 19 (eight gold, five silvers and six bronze). DCI competed in the top three with 11 medals ( seven gold, three silver and a bronze).