The 2019 African Games silver medallist Mercy Wanjiru says she had done her homework before she clashed with Leah Kibet in the 3,000m steeplechase final on the opening day of the National Athletics Championships at Ulinzi Complex.
Wanjiru won the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at 9:45.08 ahead of Leah Kibet (9:50.57) and Judy Jepkoech (9:51.65) who completed the podium.
Wanjiru revealed she had closely studied Kibet’s tactics and worked hard to enhance her speed to ensure flawless victory.
She attributed her victory to meticulous preparation, particularly her improved technique over the barriers.
Kibet was the winner of the event during the Kenya Defence Forces Championships, where Wanjiru placed third.
“During the KDF Championships where Kibet won, I had not done enough speed work. So, I knew to beat her, I had to work on my speed,” Wanjiru explained. She said her target at the Africa Senior Championships is to finish on the podium.
The event, which ends today, is being used by Athletics Kenya (AK) to select a team that represents the country at the African Senior Championships set for June 21-26 in Douala, Cameroon.
“First, I thank God and my parents for their motivation. They have always encouraged me to keep my head high because the race is not easy,” she noted.
She said her ultimate goal is to qualify for the Olympics. “In the long run, I want to make the Kenya team to the Paris Games,” she said.
Wanjiru boasts a personal best of 9:25.85 with the Olympic qualifying mark set at 9:23.00.
Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek left Kenyans scratching their heads hard after running away with the women’s 10,000m title in 32:31.8. Gladys Kwamboka was second in 32:43.4 while Faith Chepkoech secured third place in 33:04.0.
Cheptoyek praised the intensity of the women’s 10,000m competition, remarking: “The race was competitive. We pushed each other till the last minute. I was not expecting to win today.”
The 22-year-old revealed she was invited to the race to sharpen her talons in readiness for the Olympics, noting Kenya’s strong presence in the 10,000m.
“This is my third time running in Kenya. I was invited because Uganda doesn’t have a strong women’s 10,000m team. I want to sharpen my skills for the Olympics. I’ve already met the qualifying marks in both the 5,000m and 10,000m,” she said.
Cheptoyek hit the 10,000m qualifying mark at the Valencia 10km Road Race in January, clocking 30:03 to finish fifth.
In December, she attained the 5,000m mark with a time of 14:28 at the Barcelona 5km Road Race.
Looking ahead to the African Championships, Cheptoyek expressed caution: “I’m cautious going into the African Championships because competition will be tough. I will try my best to clinch the crown,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Kwamboka has set her sights on a gold medal in Cameroon following her strong performance. “My target is to clinch a gold medal for Kenya in Cameroon. From my performance today, I am confident I can make it,” she said.
She admitted the race was difficult but credited her training for her success. “The race was tough but with the kind of training I underwent before the championship, I was able to secure a podium finish,” she added.
Maximila Imali cleared a distance of 5.74m to clinch the women’s long jump title ahead of Maureen Nanjala (5.67m) and Zeddy Chongwo (5.61m).
Rukia Nusra won the women’s 100m hurdles title with a time of 14.23 seconds while Gladys Ngure (15.18) and Jane Chege (15.54) rounded out the podium.
In other events, Venice Kerubo clocked 1:00.81 to win the women’s 400m hurdles semifinal 1 to secure a spot in the final. Rahab Ndirangu won semifinal 2 in 1:00.22, and Gladys Ngure topped semifinal 3 with 1:00.42.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Kipkorir Rotich (51.21) and Cyrus Korir (51.80) won their respective semifinals (1 and 2) while Moitalel Naandokila (52.52) topped semifinal 3.
Mary Nyaruai led the women’s 1,500m semifinal 1 with a time of 4:13.79 ahead of Caroline Nyaga (4:15.22) and Winny Chebet (4:17.76).
Esther Mbagari clocked 11.80 to win the women’s 100m semifinal 1. Rukia Nusra (12.29) and Lydia Barasa (12.64) placed second and third respectively.
