Selina Kosgei sprints home in 2003 Kenyan Champs 10,000m (© Omulo Okoth)
Selina Kosgei demonstrated that she is reaching great form and is looking forward to next weekend's Olympic trials, after winning the women’s 10,000 metres title at the Kenyan Championships in commanding style today.
Kosgei, the reigning Commnwealth Games champion over the distance, clocked 32:49.0 following a thrilling finishing kick which she began 200m out from home. At that moment she was sandwiched between second placed Irene Kwambai and World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba. Both had looked strong and ready to challenge her for the win until Kosgei upped the pace.
Ndereba switched from the 5000m to the 10,000m on Thursday to enable her team, the Kenya Prisons, to score maximum points.
Kwambai of the Armed Forces clocked 32:50.0 and Ndereba 32:52.8. Former World champion Sally Barsosio followed in 32:56.8.
Chebii in charge of 1500m semi
As expected, Abraham Chebii improved on his time from yesterday's heats, when he clocked 3:38.5 when winning the second semi-final of the 1500m today. Chebii looked strong from the bell and after that it was never a question of would win but who would come second. Andrew Kangogo filled that frame (3:41.3) and James Kangogo finished in a distant third (3:42.0).
Upcoming Evans Ndung'u won the other 1500m semi-final in 3:47.2 followed by Chirchir Kipsang.
There were also marked improvements in the men's 400m and the 800m.
Muengi Mutua was the fastest qualifier in the 800m with a time of 1:46.9, and he is tipped to dip under the Olympics qualifying time of 1:46.00 in the final. But there he must face colleague Michael Rotich, who upset Justus Koech the world's second fastest this year, in the other slower semi which he ran in 1:47.7, with Koech finishing in 1:47.9.
Vincent Mumo clocked 45.7 to win the first heat of the men’s 400m second round. Ezra Sambu won the second heat in 46.2, and Thomas Musembi the third in 46.6.
The 3000m steeplechase attracted a large crowd, and Wisley Kiprotich won the first heat in 8:38.4 with Sammy Kiplagat finishing second. Luke Kibet took the second semi in 8:32.8, as Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Abraham Cherono finished third (8:35.6), followed by former World champion and record holder Wilson Boit Kipketer.
Results
Men
400 metres
Semi One 1. Vincent Mumo, Armed Forces, 45.7 2. George Kwaoba, Police, 46.3 3. Felix Lebo, 47.0.
Semi Two 1. Ezra Sambu, Police, 46.2 2. Sammy Rono, Armed Forces, 47.0 3. Stephen Bitok, North Eastern, 47.8 4. Robu Abudho, Prisons, 48.9.
Semi Three 1. Thomas Musembi, Prisons, 46.6 2. David Kirui, Armed Forces, 47.0 3. Selesio Njiru, Prisons, 47.2 4. Victor Kibet, Nairobi, 47.8.
800m:
Semi One 1. Michael Rotich, Armed Forces, 1: 47.7 2. Justus Koech, Armed Forces, 1:47.9 3. Alex Sang, Police, 1:48.0 4. John Yego, North Rift, 4:48.3.
Semi Two 1. Muengi Mutua, Armed Forces, 1:46.9 2. Alfred Kiprotich, South Rift, 1:47.2 3. Francis Kakonzi, Police, 1:47.5 4. Ali Yampoi, North Rift, 1:49.9
1500m:
Semi One 1. Evans Ndung'u, Central, 3:47.2 2. Chirchir Kipsang, Armed Forces, 3:47.4 3. Michael Ndhiwa, Police, 3:47.5 4. Suleiman Simotwa, Police, 3:47.8. Semi Two 1. Abraham Chebii, Individual, 3:38.5 2. Andrew Kangogo, Police, 3:41.3 3. James Kangogo, Central, 3:42.0 4. Stanley Kipchumba, North Eastern, 3:43.5 .
3000m steeplechase:
Semi One 1. Wilsey Kiprotich, Armed Forces, 8:38.4 2. Sammy Kiplagat, North Rift, 8:38.6 3. David Lagat, South Rift, 8:41.2 4. Cornelius Kosgey, Central, 8:41.7.
Semi Two 1. Luke Kibet, Prisons, 8:32.8 2. Willy Komen, North Rift, 8:33.0 3. Abraham Cherono, Armed Forces, 8:35.6 4. Wilson Boit, Armed Forces, 8:35.8
5000m:
Semi One 1. David Chelule, Nyanza, 13:48.1 2. Benjamin Maiyo, Police, 13:48.3 3. Kiprono Maiyo, Nairobi, 13:50.8 4. Abraham Baraza, North Eastern, 13:51.6.
Two 1. Julius Kiptoo, North Rift, 13:43.5 2. Charles Kamathi, Police, 13:43.7 3. Nathan Lagat, Universities, 13:44.0 4. John Keino, Nyanza, 13:44.1
Women
10,000m (final) 1. Selina Kosgei, Prisons, 32:49.0 2. Irene Kwambai, Armed Forces, 32:50.0 3. Catherine Ndereba, Prisons, 32:52.8 4. Sally Barsosio, Armed Forces, 32:56.8 5. Alice Chelagat, Individual, 33:00.5 6. Doris Chepngeno, North Rift, 33:24.0 7. Caroline Cheptanui, South Rift, 33:35.4 8. Elizabeth Rumokal, North Rift, 33:59.4
