African 100 metres record holder Ferdinand Omanyala eased to victory in the men’s 100m final in the Athletics Kenya Track and Field Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi today.
Omanyala went on to claim the country’s undisputed sprint king crown after blasting his way to victories in the men’s 200m races at the National Athletics Championships.
The sprinter, who was representing National Police Service (NPS), won the 100m event in 10.03 seconds before completing his sprint double with a 20.43-second victory in the 200m.
The 26-year-old said he is now eyeing his maiden titles at the Africa Senior Athletics Championships to be held in Reduit, Mauritius on June 8-12.
In an interview with journalist, Omanyala said he enjoyed the meeting given his performance in the 200m adding he feels ready to compete for global competitions.
“It has been a good championship; I enjoyed the three events (100m, 200m and 4x100m). I am happy with my performance especially in the 200m which I have been working on. It is now time to go for titles,” said Omanyala.
Uganda’s Benson Okoth (10.52) came in second while Tazana Kamanga of Denmark finished third in 10.62.
In the women’s category, Maxmilah Imali from National Police Service set a new national record of 11.35 ahead of Uganda’s Jacinta Nyamahunga (11.57) while Monica Zafania (NPS) was third in 11.86.
Elsewhere Beatrice Chebet also of NPS emerged the winner in the women’s 5000m race after clocking 15:30.15 beating Caroline Nyaga who finished second in 15:32.11 while Neptune Chepleting was third in 15:38.36
Chebet who is the former world junior champion, said she is going all out for a gold medal in Mauritius.
In the 3,000m steeplechase women category, World Under-20 champion Jacklyine Chepkoech calculated her race to perfection before surging forward with three laps to go and led all the way to the tape.
Chepkoech, who represented Central Rift region, crossed the line in 9:26.14 ahead of Celliphine Chespol (Kenya Prisons Service) who timed 9:31.11 while Caren Chebet (National Police Service) was third in 9:31.60.
World Under-20 3000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech ran the rule in women’s steeplechase after stopping the timer in 9:26.12 ahead of Celliphine Chespol who placed second in 9:31.11 while Caren Chebet closed the podium in 9:31.69
The three-day championships were concluded today.