Grace Kidake and Nancy Ngina at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday/HANDOUT
The 40-year-old Kidake produced a magnificent show at the European Speed Masters Championships held in Shkoder, Albania. She grabbed two gold medals in the women’s 200m (W40) and a split relay involving African athletes.
The Mombasa-based sprinter won a silver medal and a bronze in mixed relay last year during the 25th edition of the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
“The completion was tough, but we are grateful we came home with something. We used this to gauge our levels ahead of the African Championships this year and next year's World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea,” she remarked.
“This event in Albania was important to us as far as improving our qualification and competition time is concerned. I thank our association (Athletics Kenya Masters) and the leadership of Athletics Kenya for granting us the opportunity to travel and compete overseas.”
Ninga, who competed at the Masters level for the first time, expressed her elation after winning two bronze medals in the women’s 200m category W59 and the split relay.
“I am grateful to everyone who made this possible, as we went to Albania for this competition. This was my first time racing outside the country. This Master's competition is useful in keeping fit, especially for former athletes. I urge other 'retired' athletes to return to the track or even road racing to keep fit for good health,” Ngina said.
Athletics Kenya Masters secretary general Rose Tata Muya, who received the two at JKIA, congratulated them.
"We are so happy with these two great ladies. They did all they could to be in Albania for the championships. They have done us proud as a country despite encountering delayed visa approval," she said.
"I encourage them and the other masters' athletes in the country to train hard ahead of the trials for the African Championships.”
The European Speed Master Championships were held between May 15 and 18.
