Obiri, Kandie shine at KDF championships
Two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri and former World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie won their respective races during the first day of the Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championships at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata Barracks that kicked off yesterday.
Obiri, the Olympic Silver medallist won the women’s 5000m. Representing Laikipia Air Base, Obiri clocked 15:33.39 as Nespine Jepleting and Sheila Chepkirui finished second and third respectively.
In the men’s 10,000m, Kandie took victory in 28:02.47 ahead of Alfred Barkach in 28:10.3 while Fredrick Muranga placed third in 28:34.3.
Kandie who has been battling an injury said he is fully fit and ready to fight for places at the Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.
World Athletics Championships will be held from July 15 to July 24 in Oregon, United States, while the Commonwealth Games are due from July 28th to August 8th in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
First victory
“This is my first victory for KDF on the track,” said Iten-based Kandie. He made his marathon debut at the New York Marathon on November 7 2021 where he finished ninth in 2:13.43. He acknowledged that he didn’t perform as expected last year after he fell short in training.
“This is going to be a busy year because there are many races to prepare for. The World Championships and Commonwealth Games are my priority,” said Kandie who last year won the Istanbul Half Marathon in 59:35 as well as The Giants Geneva 10km in 26:51.
In other results, Sergeant Priscilla Tabunde from Isiolo topped the Women’s Long Jump final with a distance of 5.63m while Ivyn Chepkemboi and Divina Bwari took second and third positions respectively.
Mary Chege emerged the winner in the women’s 100m hurdles finals with a time of 14.65 seconds while Rukia Nusra and Priscila Tabunda settled for second and third positions in that order.
“As coaches entrusted with junior athletes, this is something we have been yearning for and the collaboration with Athletics Kenya and Miramas Athletics Club is good news,” said Maritim.
“Sports is becoming more scientific and it will be great for these juniors to get to know the biomechanics of spirit running,” said Maritim.
Maritim said he hoped Athletics Kenya will strike partnerships with countries that are good in sprints and field events to help Kenya junior athletes improve their skills.
Also in the team is Peter Kithome who guided Kenya to bronze in 4x400m and finished sixth in men’s 400m hurdles final of the World Under 20 Championships.
Kithome is keen to improve on his techniques with the hurdles if he is to reach the next level of career.
“This is a very technical discipline that requires particular skills, you might be having all the speed but without technique, you’re are not likely to get the best results,” shared Kithome.
