This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
Kenyan Athletes Fall Short at World Relay Championships ¶
Kenya's national team posted a fair show at the two-day World Relay Championships in Poland, but their hopes of flying the national colours in sprint races at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan were crash-landed.
The team trained hard and nursed huge dreams of securing Olympic qualifying marks in men's 4x400m and women's 4x400m, but they finished last in the first rounds.
On the women's 4x400m, Gladys Nthenya posted 54.67 seconds, Veronica Mutua (54.61), Sylvia Chesebe (55.11), and Mary Moraa (54.05) recorded slower times in the duel.
Similarly, in the men's 4x400m, Stanley Kieti set 48.52 seconds, William (48.37), David Sanayek (47.01), and Kevin Tonui returned 46.89 seconds.
According to Hillary Wesonga, a sprint coach, the team's performance was affected by the tacticians' decision to mix the athletes, which resulted in them losing time while passing the baton.
"We need to save seconds while passing the baton to the next sprinter and not just waiting for it. It should be a swift move," said Wesonga.
On the shuttle relay, Wesonga noted that the athletes were cautious not to make mistakes but were too slow off the blocks, which led to them settling for bronze.
Stephen Mwaniki, a renowned sprint coach, said the shuttle relays were technically flawless and that there is a need for investment in them.
Meanwhile, the host nation Poland had success with Joanna Jozwik and Patryk Dobek teaming up to win the 2x2x400m event.
Published on May 3, 2021
