Charles Kamathi wins the 2005 Kenyan Police Championships (© Omulo Okoth)
Olympic 5000m silver medallist Isabella Ochichi displayed her top shape when she pulled off a hat-trick during the Kenya Police Athletics Championships which ended today at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani (Sat 21 May).
Ochichi won the 800m, 1500m and 5000m races. She clocked 2:07.4 in the 800m, 4:20.21 in the 1500m and 17:23.0 to take the 5000m, in which she won the Olympic silver in Athens last year.
“This is good warm-up for the major championships ahead. I want to fight for a place in the Kenyan team for World Championships in Helsinki where I hope to win a medal,” confirmed Ochichi.
She was control in all the races, dashing to the front after the first lap in the 800m with no response from her opponents. In the 1500m, she pulled away with 100m to go and easily won. In her 5000m specialty, she went ahead after three laps and was neck and neck with Obare until 350m to go, when she sprinted off to win.
Charles Kamathi, who won the 2001 World 10,000m title, ensured his campaign for his own forthcoming international track programme was also on course for success with a 13:56.8 victory in the men’s 5000m.
Kamathi started the race confidently and was in front after the first lap. He was briefly in second and third positions at the midway point with Fredrick Cheruiyot and Geoffrey Siele, both of the crack General Service Unit, exchanging the lead.
However, with four laps to finish, Kamathi, who was representing Eastern Province, shot to the front and was unchallenged to the finish. Cheruiyot and Siele were second and third in 14:00.6 and 14:02.0.
“I am happy with the build-up so far. This race was just to build up speed for the 10,000m. I was training in Japan for a few weeks and ran one race in which I was second in 13:11 (13:11.98 in Hiroshima 29 April). I now plan to train here at home until the National Championships and World Championships Trials before making any further plans,” said Kamathi .
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
Selected Results:
MEN:
100m
1. Josephat Ogamba (KPC) 10.7
2. Sylvester Kemei (GSU) 10.9
3. Gordon Ochieng (NBI) 11.0
200m
1. Japheth Ogamba (KPC) 21.2
2. Ezra Sambu (KPC) 21.4
3. George Kwoba (PEU) 21.6
400m
1. Ezra Sambu (KPC) 47.0
2. Felix Lebo (NBI) 47.2
3. george Kwoba (PEU) 48.8
800m
1. William Yiampoy (PEU) 1:47.1
2. Leonard KIbati (GSU) 1:48.1
3. Alex Sang (KPC) 1:48.4
1500m
1. Suleiman Simotwo (KPC) 3:41.5
2. Paul Melly (GSU) 3:42.1
3. Richard Matelong (KPC) 3:42.8
5000m
1. Charles Kamathi (Eastern) 13:56.8
2. Fredrick Cheruiyot (GSU) 14:00.6
3. Geoffrey Siele (GSU) 14:02.0
10,000m
1. Paul Kimugul (NBI) 29:10.4
2. Gilbert Okari (Eastern) 29:12.0
3. Julius Nyamu (KAPU) 29:39.5
20km Race Walk
1. Josephat Sirma (GSU) 1:27:28
2. Obadia Nyaga (GSU) 1:28:14
3. Kennedy Ngare (ASTU) 1:42:18
400m Hurdles
1. Rere Sang (RVP) 52.8
2. George Nzioki (GSU) 53.5
3. James Kotut (GSU) 53.7
Pole Vault
1. James Kirimi (GSU) 4.10m
2. Erick Kirui (Coast) 3.80
3. Fundi Shadrack (PEU) 3.60
Shot Put
1. David Terer (RVP) 13.59
2. Joseph Macharia (KAPU) 12.61
3. Philip Koech (GSU) 12.56
Hammer
1. David Terer (RVP) 40.64
2. Philip Koech (GSU) 33.14
3. Felix Birgen (NBI) 32.49
Long Jump
1. Philip Mbithi (GSU) 6.70m
2. Anthony Cherop (RVP) 6.61
3. Geoffrey Ngeno (Western) 6.53
Discus
1. David Terer (RVP) 42.26
2. Kipsang Rotich (KPC) 42.23
3. Richard Bitok (GSU) 40.33
WOMEN
100m
1. Pamela Masabule (KAPU) 12.4
2. Shirley Kalunda (KPC) 12.6
3. Teresiah Mueni (Railways) 12.9
200m
1. Pamela Masabule (KAPU) 26.4
2. Shirley Kalunda (KPC) 26.7
3. Teresiah Mueni (Railways) 27.0
400m
1. Beatrice Kibata (KPC) 60.2
2. Shirley Kalunda (KPC) 61.0
3. Eusila Semwo (RVP) 61.5
800m
1. Isabella Ochichi (KAPU) 2:07.4
2. Milka Chemos (KPC) 2:10.6
3. Beatrice Kibata (KPC) 2:15.7
1500m
1. Isabella Ochichi (KAPU) 4:20.21
2. Milka Chemos (KPC) 4:31.5
3. Lydia Chepkirui (Central) 4:46.6
5000m
1. Isabella Ochichi (KAPU) 17:23.0
2. Jesca Obare KPC) 17:30.0
3. Esther Maina (KPC) 17:45.3
10,000m
1. Jesca Obare (KPC) 35:17.3
2. Esther Maina (KPC) 36:00.7
3. Jane Waweru (Eastern) 38:01.0
3000m SC
1. Antoninah Ruto (KPC) 12:20.0
2. Georgina Malani (KPC) 12:32.0
3. Martha Chepsergon (RVP) 12:45.6
20km Race Walk
1. Sofia Ibrahim (KPC) 2:24.57
2. Catherine Nyambura (KPC) 2:27.20
3. Doris Ndiwa (RVP) 2:38.03
400m Hurdles
1. Lydia Chepkirui (Central) 64.8
2. Getrude Opolo (KPC) 70.0
3. Pascaline Jelagat (RVP) 73.7
Shot Put
1. Gladys Madee (Railways) 9.69
2. Neddy Kilimo (Nairobi) 9.28
3. Ruth Ngila (Central) 9.20
Long Jump
1. Caroline Jerop (GSU) 4.74
2. Teresia Mueni (Railways) 4.41
3. Shirley Kalunda (KPC) 4.40
Discus
1. Gladys Madee (Railways) 30.94
2. Cynthia Cheruiyot (RVP) 25.66
3. Patricia Wango (Nairobi) 25.56
Pole Vault
1. Caroline Jerop (GSU) 1.70
