Africa 1,500m champion Abel Kipsang Ethiopian Wosane Asefa and Maia McCoy were the winners in the 1,500m men, 3,000m steeplechase men and 100m champions at the Kip Keino Classic at the Ulinzi Sports Complex today.
Kipsang beat Kipchumba in 1,500m men
Kipsang edged out compatriot Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang to win the 1,500m title.
Abel Kipsang said: “Not a bad race since it’s my season opener. I’m happy to be back on track after a long lay off due to injury. However, I have a lot to do because I have not qualified for World Championships.”
Second placed Matthew Kipchumba Kipsang said: “I came to try and attain the qualification time for the World Championships but unfortunately I’ve missed. I’m happy with the second place but not the time. I have a few races remaining before the deadline and I hope to achieve the time there.”
Ethiopian Wosane Asefa lead compatriots to beat Kenyans in steeplechase women
Ethiopian star Wosane Asefa led compatriots to a clean podium sweep in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, leading countrywomen Kena Tufa and Firehiwot Gesese to a 1-2-3 finish.
She delivered her victory in 9:30.68, which is her personal best while her compatriots Tufa and Gesese came in second and third timing 9:31.72 (PB) and 9:32.09 respectively.
“I have achieved my goal today. Coming into this race, my main goal was to win. My next major target is to qualify for the World Championships. I loved the crowd because the cheers motivated me to keep going. Competing in Kenya feels great,” said Asefa.
Former world 3000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech was tipped for a podium place at the kick off of the women’s catfight, but the Ethiopian stars proved too strong for the Kenyan cast.
For Asefa, Tufa and Gesese, there was no room for mistakes as they dominated the final three laps of the contest.
Chepkoech was in a comfortable lead in the opening stages of the water and barrier race and had the company of Joyce Biwott and the wild cheers of athletics enthusiasts that packed the stadium to boot.
Diana Chepkemoi ran 9:41.52 to finish fourth with Chepkoech coming in fifth in 9:44.48.
Liberia’s Maia McCoy Snatches 100m Title
Africa 100m silver medallist Maia McCoy of Liberia was crowned the women’s 100m champion after clocking 11.21 seconds, edging past her compatriot Destiny Smith Barnett at the finish line to snatch victory dramatically. Barnett, who had led for most of the race, settled for second in a season’s best of 11.29 seconds. Egyptian Hemida Bassant placed third, also in a season’s best of 11.49 seconds.
“There is a lot I have to work on as the season progresses. This is just my second race of the season — not bad and not good,” said McCoy. “I loved competing here. Kenyans are so hospitable. I will definitely be back next year.”
American Shannon Ray, who finished fourth, said: “Not my best race. But I’m still happy with the results considering the wind and altitude.”
Iuel shatters 400m hurdles meet record at Kip Keino Classic
Norway’s Amalie Iuel lit up the track, storming to victory in the women’s 400m hurdles with a new meet record of 54.80 seconds.
Iuel shaved 0.09 seconds off her own record of 54.89 set during last year’s edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting at the Nyayo stadium.
Finland’s Kristiina Halonen pushed hard to take second place in a personal best of 55.32, while Germany’s Eileen Demes rounded out the podium in 55.38.
Beaming with joy after bagging her second win on Kenyan soil, Iuel hailed the atmosphere at the Ulinzi Complex.
“I feel happy for the my second victory here at Kipkeino. It has not been easy but I love the atmosphere and the crowd,” she said.
Halonen, despite setting a personal best, admitted she fell short of her race-day expectations.
“Things did not go as I had planned because I put a lot of pressure on myself,” she said
The Finnish hurdler, however, remained optimistic and is keen to improve her race management moving forward.
“Going forward, I want to ensure I work on my race rhythm and avoid putting a lot of pressure on myself.”
Halonen, like many athletes competing in Nairobi, praised the supportive crowd and high-altitude conditions.
“The altitude was really nice, I loved the fans and I’ll be back here next year, if I’m invited,” she added.