Okoth throws the gauntlet ahead of the CAA African U18/U20 trials

Three-time Kenya Secondary Schools national 100m champion Brian Okoth has thrown the gauntlet ahead of the CAA African U18/U20 trials set for this weekend in Nairobi. 

The national trials will be held on Friday and Saturday at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. Okoth, a student at Riooga Secondary School in Nyamira, has vowed to represent Kenya at the biennial event to be held in Abeokuta City in Nigeria from July 16-20.

“My body is in great shape, and I’m looking forward to the trials. I want to make my debut at the international level in Nigeria. I’m very confident ahead of the trials because I have done proper training,” said the confident form three student.

 He spoke at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho in Kisii County on Saturday during the Nyanza South regional trials. Riooga Secondary School, which is an athletics Kenya youth training camp, dominated the trials. He won the U20 category in 10:45, beating Raymond Keith to second place in 11:00.

Okoth finished third in the 200m after clocking 21:93. The race was won by Alex Moonka (21:70) while Keith (21:91) was second. Faith Kemunto, who dominated the 200m and 400m races, exuded confidence ahead of the trials.

“I want to qualify for Nigeria. I want to use this as a launching pad for my career. I want to advance in athletics because I want to help uplift my parents,” said the Form Four student at Riooga. 

 Kemunto won the 200m U20 race in 24:85, beating Beatrice Machoka to second place in 25:48. In the 400m, she emerged victorious in 56:18, relegating Agnes Thomas (57:28) to second place.  Junior international Dorca Isoe of St Peter’s Keberesi will represent Nyanza South in the 800m and 1,500m.

She won the 800m in 2:04.00 and the 1,500m in 4:21:71 ahead of compatriot Mary Nyaboke (2:25:71). 

 A provisional team of 48 athletes was selected for the trials, according to Haron Onchong’a. Out of the 48, 27 athletes are from Riooga Secondary School.

“We have sent the names to AK headquarters. They will select athletes for the trials according to their performance,” said Onchong’a, the principal and coach of Riooga Secondary School.

He commended AK for establishing youth training camps in Nyamira and Kisii Counties. “The camps have rekindled the athletic spirit in Gusiiland. There has been a massive improvement in the last five years,” said Onchong’a.