This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 22, 2019, Kenya's top athletes gathered at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi for the National Athletics Championships, a crucial event ahead of the IAAF World Athletics Championships national trials on September 12-13.
World 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi, silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, Africa 1,500m champion Winny Chebet, and two-time Africa high jump champion Mathew Sawe delivered outstanding performances, solidifying their positions for the upcoming trials.
Timothy Cheruiyot, the Commonwealth Games 1,500m silver medalist, won the 800m event in 1:43.11, beating Jonathan Kitilit (1:44.5) and Cornelius Tuwei (1:45.3).
Cheruiyot explained, 'I wanted to gauge my speed in 800m ahead of national trials and the remaining IAAF Diamond League meetings. That’s why I opted to compete in 800m.'
Elijah Manangoi won the 1,500m event in 3:37.36, beating 2015 world under-20 1500m champion Kumari Taki (3:37.44) and Justus Soget (3:38.5). Manangoi stated, 'I came here primarily to compete for my police team. It’s also part of my preparations for the national trials.'
Winny Chebet of Kenya Defence Forces won the women’s 1500m finals in 4:05.09, ahead of Selah Jepleting (4:05.43) and Judith Jepleting (4:06.27).
African Youth Games 2000m steeplechase champion Fancy Cherono announced her hunger for a world championships ticket as she won the 3000m steeplechase finals in 9:42.05, followed by Mercy Wanjiru (9:43.96) and Caroline Biwott of KDF (9:56.78).
Nicholas Chirchir won the 400m hurdles in 49.43, beating Ezekiel Bett (50.30) and KDF’s John Gikonyi (51.17). Mathew Sawe of KDF posted 2.15 metres to defend his national title in high jump.
World under-18 400m silver medalist Mary Moraa of police won the women’s 400m final in 52.65, ahead of team mate Gladys Musyoki (54.13) and Nivian Michira (54.24) of Kenya Prisons.
Alfas Kishoyian of KDF reclaimed his 400m title by winning in 45.6 seconds, upstaging Alex Sampao (46.41) and Collins Omae (46.42). Kishoyian expressed his happiness, saying, 'I am happy to reclaim my national title ahead of African Games in which I hope to post good results.'
Ferdinand Omanyala and Monica Safania of police emerged as the new national men’s and women’s 100m champions respectively, with Omanyala clocking 10.48 seconds and Safania winning in 11.45 seconds.
