Julius Yego and Mary Moraa to lead Team Kenya at Africa Games

African Javelin record holder, Julius Yego and World 800m champion Mary Moraa will lead Team Kenya at the forthcoming 13th edition of the Africa Games taking place from 8-23 March in Accra, Ghana.

The 35 year-old Yego, who is also the 2015 World champion threw a distance of 77.81m and was followed by Alex Kiprotich in second with a distance of 75.37m with Methusella Kiprop clearing 72.72m.

Moraa who is an 800m specialist will compete in the 400m after winning in the category during today’s trials at the Nyayo National stadium where she clocked 51.25 for the title followed by Jackline Nanjala in 53.40 with Maureen Nyatichi sealing the podium in 53.430.

World 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Beatrice Chepkoech, who won the 5,000m in 15:29.69 leading Mary Mananu in15:45.45) and Sandrafelis Chebet 16:01.330 will lead the team in the water and barrier.

In men’s 100m, Hesborn Ochieng ran a personal best of 10.22 secs to book a ticket for the African Games. KDF’s Steven Onyango came second in 10.35 while Meshack Babu in third place in 10.36.

Esther Mbagari showed that her prowess in the women’s 100m is still unrivaled after clocking 11.63 in the final. Eunice Kadogo (11.80 secs) and Doreen Waka (11.88) trailed her in second and third positions.

Mbagari said she would be eyeing to run a sub-11 seconds in Accra. “I am glad to have qualified for the African games. I expect to run my best time there,” she stated.

Dismus Lokira of KDF ran a convincing 28:36.77 to win the men’s 10,000m. Francis Abong (28:38.96) and Evans Keitan (28:41.42) completed the podium. “Getting into team Kenya is hard. I am glad I was able to secure a spot. My target in Ghana is to get a gold medal,” Lokira said.

Rukia Nusra clocked 14.17 to win the women’s 100m hurdles ahead of Gladys Muthoni (14.97) and Veronica Chebet (14.98).

1. Women 100m:                 Esther Mbagari, Eunice Kadogo
2. Men 100m:                      Hesborn Ochieng, Steve Onyango
3. Women 100m Hurdles:  Rukia Nusra
4. 110m-H men:                  Wiseman Were
5. 200m Women:                 Millicent Ndoro
6. 200m men:                       Samuel Chege, Dan Kiviasi
7. 400m women:                  Mary Moraa,
8. 400m Men:                       Kennedy Kimeu, David Sanayek
9. 400m-H women:              Venice Kerubo, Rahab Wanjiru
10. 400m-H men:                   Kipkorir Rotich, Nicholas Kiblimo
11. 800m Women:                 Vivian Chebet, Lilian Odira
12. 800m men:                       Kipngetich Ngeno, Aaron Kemei
13. 1500m women:                Mary Ekiru, Lydia Cheruto
14. 1500m men:                     Brian Komen, Abel Kipsang
15. 3000m SC women:          Caren Chebet, Purity Cherotich
16. 3000m SC men:               Amos Serem, Simon Koech, Edmond Serem
17. 5000m women:                Beatrice Chepkoech, Mary Manalu
18. 5000m men:                     Cornelius Kemboi
19. 10000m women:              Janet Chepngetich
20. 10000m men:                   Francis Abong, Evans Keitani
21. Decathlon:                        Edwin Kemutai
22. 20km walk men:              Samuel Gathimba, Dominic Ndigiti
23. 20km walk women:         Emily Ngii, Sylvia Kemboi
24. High jump women:          Zeddy Jesire
25. High jump men:               Asbel Kemboi
26. Triple Jump men:             Isaac Kirwa
27. Men javelin:                     Julius Yego
28. Women Javelin:                Lalam Joyce

Officials:

1. Jackson Kemoi:   Team manager
2. Steven Etyang:     Team Co-coordinator
3. Elkana Nyangau:     Head coach
4. Eunice Sang:           Safeguarding officer
5. Hellen Chepkoech: Chaperone