Ndalu and Wanje reign supreme at the Coast Wu20 pre-trials

Esther Ndalu and Isaiah Wanje booked for double slots ahead of national world under 20 athletics trials during the Coast Region pre-trials held at the Kijiwetanga Primary school in Malindi County.

Ndalu, who dominated the 400m and 800m will face off with other junior athletes from across the country at the national trials set for June 1^st to 3^rd at Kasarani stadium, the venue for world under 20 championships between August 17^th to 22^nd.

Purity Riziki who played second fiddle to Ndalu also booked a double just like Ndalu in both 400m and 800m.

In the first race, Ndalu won the 400m in 58.02 beating Riziki to second after timing 58.21 to book for the slots.

As Ndalu shone in girls, Isaiah Wanje reigned supreme in boys’ one lap after clocking 48.12 with Pascal Wilson following in the second position timing 48.20 and Dismus Mwalimu completing the podium positions in 48.27.

Wanje will also be flying the 800m flag at the nationals as Coast region was affiliate to host the pre-trials,

Benson Kombe proved his worth after dominating both 100m and 200m, rejuvenating his national secondary title he won in 2019.

Kombe will lead the team when he clocked 11.02 seconds for 100m ahead of Francis Diwani who managed second position in 11.05 before Frehan Muktar settled third in 11.12.

Christine Kalume clocked 11.87 to win women’s 100m in beating Simba Quintor in 11.89 with Leila Mohamed timing 11.92 for third place.

Athletics Kenya Coast Region chairman Dimmy Kisilu said they did not host middle and long distance athletes instead chose the sprints.

“We did the trials in events where we have strong athletes and we hope to perform well. We intend to reach the finals in all the events, hopefully,” said Kisalu.

Athletics Kenya (AK) director of technical and competitions Paul Mutwii, and Chief Administrative Officer, Susan Kamau were impressed with standards and talent  displayed during the pre-trials.

“We are really impressed hence we must focus on this region if we are to develop our sprinters,” said Mutwii.

Kamau acknowledge that Coast and other regions like Nyanza South,  Nyanza North and Eastern that are capable of producing good sprinters and field event athletes and need special attention.

Team:

Women:

100m

1. Christine Kalume
2. Quintor Simba
3. Leila Mohamed
4. Hellen Mwaruwa

200m

• Leila Mohamed
• Hellen Mwaruwa

400m

• Esther Ndalu
• Purity Riziki,

800m

• Esther Ndalu
• Purity Riziki

Men

100m

1. Benson Kombe
2. Francis Diwani
3. Ferhan Muktar

200m

1. Dismus  Mwalimu
2. Francis Baya
3. Francis Diwali
4. Benson Kombe

400m

1.  Isaiah Wanje
2. Pascal Wilson
3. Francis Baya,

800m

• Isaiah Wanje
• Pascal Wilson