Amos Abuga
Walk racers Samuel Gathimba and Emily Ngii won Kenya two more gold medals in the ongoing 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco yesterday.
Just as he did during the 2018 Africa Athletics Championships in Asaba, Nigeria, the Kenya Prisons Constable once again proved that he is the man to beat on the continent after clocking 1:22.48 for victory in the 20km walk.
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Gathimba, bronze medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, outclassed Ethiopian Yohanis Algaw in a thrilling sprint finish, claiming the title he lost to South Africa’s Lebogang Shange in the 2015 edition of the Games in Congo Brazzaville.
Gathimba’s win was the first for Kenya since David Kimutai’s heroics in Johannesburg, South Africa 20 years ago.
The other Kenyan representative Simon Wachira (1:24.40) was fourth with the silver and bronze going to Wale (1:22.50) and Wayne Snyman of South Africa (1:23.38) winning bronze.
In the women’s race Ngii, the Kenyan champion, clocked 1:34.41 to beat compatriot Grace Wanjiru, a six-time Africa champion (1:37.57), while reigning African champion Mutuku Beletew of Ethiopia took bronze in 1:35.21.
As of last evening, Kenya had 10 medals (four gold, three silver and as many bronze).
Irene Kimais and Monica Chirchir will line up in the women’s 10,000m final tonight, hoping to save face after Charles Mneria and Paul Tanui failed to finish while Edwin Soi managed fourth place in the men’s equivalent that was dominated by Ethiopians on Tuesday.
Kamais, who topped the charts during the trials in Nairobi last June is, however, not worried.
“We want to run and win for Kenya. There is a lot of attention to the race which is normal given the men’s team failed to get a medal. I hope we are shall work as a team,” said Kamais.
Her sentiments were echoed by Chirchir. “This will be my first time with the national team. It will be a lot of mixed emotions. The Kenyan team is relatively young and hungry,” said the 21-year-old.
Meanwhile, newly-crowned 400m national champion Mary Moraa, who was due to feature in the 400m final last night alongside national record holder Hellen Syombua, is elated after qualifying for the September 28 to October 6 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
The former Mogonga High School student set a new Personal Best of 51:75 in Tuesday’s semi-final. The qualifying mark stands at 51.80.
