The national secondary schools 100m champion Lydia Barasa has put her focus on the Federation of East Africa championships in Uganda and the World Under 20 show in Lima, Peru.
The 17-year-old shocked the country after clocking 12.2 seconds during the national championships in Machakos in April ahead of Transcend’s Selpha Ajiambo (12.3) and Mwireri’s Teresa Ngima (12.4).
She became the first student from Kikai Girls’ in Bungoma County to win a national title. It was her third attempt.
“I finished fourth at the nationals last year and reached the county championships in 2022,” she said.
Her elder brother, Brian, motivated her to take up the sport.
“He told me to continue running and training...that I could be the best. My short-term dream is to win the Federation of East Africa title in Uganda (in August).”
She credited the Athletics Kenya youth camp in Kaptama, Mt Elgon, with her recent success.
“Joining the camp and training under Shem Kororia has been great for me. It has given me the confidence to chase a slot in Team Kenya to Peru in September,” she said.
However, all has not been rosy. Kikai Girls' lack a proper training track for sprints and she has resorted to Chwele Boys’, five kilometres away.
“This field is so small. We normally travel to Chwele Boys for training,” said Barasa, who also competed in the 200m and 400m races in Machakos.
Kikai Girls’ athletics coach Erick Waswa said Barasa hailed Barasa for her and desire to learn.
“She is good at taking instructions. Running is her passion. I want her to use her talent to uplift the name of the school and the community. She is from around,” said Waswa.
He revealed how Barasa dominated the 100m, 200m and 400m races on her way to the national games.
“We know she picked an injury ahead of the 200m and 400m races which led to her failure to sparkle. We hope she will fully recover to put on a show in Kampala. I believe she will qualify for Peru. She is the favourite,” said Waswa.
The school’s games teacher, Robert Mchanga, is equally optimistic about Barasa’s future.
