When Nyahururu athletes dominated Nyayo relay series
Coach Jacob Lang’at of Nyahururu Athletics Club was left smiling after the conclusion of the second Athletics Kenya (AK) Relay series at the Nyayo National Stadium over the weekend.
In a leg where AK resorted to apply the use of technology in the form of electronic timing equipment, his four athletes impressed in 800m.
Led by former World under 20 1,500m champion Kumari Taki (1:48.03), 2020 world indoor 800m winner Collins Kipruto,(1:49.44) and Tony Kemboi (1:49.69), all won their respective heats, with Nicholas Kiplang’at (1:50.24), finishing third in his heat.
Ahead of the third and final leg that is scheduled for February 6, Langat knows it can only get better for his athletes.
“The season ahead is just beginning, but there are really good signs, that my athletes are maintaining the momentum.
I am really impressed with the progress, because the hard work we are putting in training is paying off,” Lang’at told People Sport.
With AK holding the trials in anticipation of selecting team Kenya on March 26-27, Langat is upbeat with his charges.
“We are really coming from a difficult season last year. My athletes just like other athletes are rearing to go and make up for lost time.
While the Olympics might be the biggest prize of the year, the Indoor Tour, Diamond League and even the World Relays are all important events for us,” said Lang’at.
Taki, competing in his first race of the season was using the two lap race to polish his speed work as he prepares for the Indoor Tour season.
“It feels good to compete and gauge myself. Being a 1,500m athlete, the race was particularly good as I work on my speed work. I am very optimistic with the season ahead,” Taki said.
In other results, the men’s 100m saw Ferdinand Omanyala, set a new personal best of 10.11 seconds, which could have been a national record on another day.
Although he lowered the national record of 10.14 held by Mark Otieno, the mark was not ratified as a national record due to suspected wind assistance.
National 100m record holder Mark Otieno placed second in 10.32 as Tarzana Kamanga finished third in 10.59
Omanyala, who has been at loggerheads with the federation was visibly delighted when he was finally cleared by AK to compete, and now boost his chances of representing the country at an international event.
“I am am happy that I was finally allowed to compete. It now gives me more strength to fight for the Olympics.
To be honest, it has not been easy for me but training hard has kept me going.
I am not so surprised with my new personal best because I have had a very good pre season. Now my target is running sub 10 seconds,” declared Omanyala.
In the women’s 400m, Gladys Musyoki clocked (54.53) for the best result of the day. Eglay Nalianya (55.47) and national record holder Hellen Syombua (56.21) finished second and third respectively.
Emmanuel Mutua clocked 46.46 to outsprint Zablon Ekwam (46.88) in the men’s 400m.
