Kenya’s multiple national champion, Florence Wasike braved the chilly weather in Mombasa to win her specialty as the Fifth NBK/AK Weekend Meeting started.
The championships at Shanzu Teachers College and which concludes this afternoon attracted several elite sprinters.
Wasike, a Kenyan Prisons warder, however, did not post good timings due to the poor the surface and had to contend with one minute 04.2 seconds to win the 400m women race.
Wasike beat her fellow warder Mdigo Ndegwa who settled for the second slot with a time of 1.05.2 second, while Maureen Mutindi from Machakos Athletics Club clocked 1.06.3 for the third slot.
In 400m men, another elite athlete Wesley Koech of Kenya Police timed 53.2 seconds to win the race. He defeated William Mbevi of Laikipia Base who settled for the second position with a time of 53.3 seconds while Police’s Kiprono Kosgey clocked 54.0 seconds for the third slot.
In shot put (men), Boas Monyancha of Kenya Navy was the winner with a throw of 14.10 meters while Benson Maina also from Kenya Navy had a throw of 13.59 meters for the second position. Kenya Ports Authority’s Tony Were had a throw of 10.03 meters for the third position.
In 100m (men), eight athletes qualified for today’s final. The qualifiers are Steven Wima (Mombasa), Steven Baraza (Prisons), Wellington Nyakundi (Prisons), Francis Gakuru (Navy), Richmond Mokaya (Mombasa), Masenda John (Prisons), Jared Ochiri (Navy), Shadrack Nyambu (Prisons).
In 100m (women), qualifiers were Joy Zakeiny (Police), Fresher Mwangi (Prisons), Gladys MUsyoki (Police), Florence Wasike (Prisons), Irere Wavinya (Machakos), Esther Chepkurui (Prisons), Regina Muhati (Prisons), Leah Maina (Mt Kenya University).
Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya Coast branch has asked the government to stop interfering with the smooth running of athletics in the county.
Branch Treasurer Anisa Abdalla speaking at Shanzu Teachers Training College said athletics was among the well-run sport in the country and deserved respect.
“We have our own constitution and it was wrong for the government to stop athletics election,” said Anisa.
The government through Sports Permanent Secretary James Waweru stopped AK from holding its elections, which were to start last Wednesday on allegations that it (AK) had not followed the laid down procedures.
By ERNEST NDUNDA, The Standard
