Former Commonwealth Games 100m champion Akan Simbine defeated the reigning Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omurwa Omanyala the 100m title at yesterday’s Botswana Golden Grand Prix.
With two being the latest rivals in the 100m, Simbine won the title in 9.90 with Omanyala coming second at 10.0 with South African Retshidisitswe Mlenga was third at 10.15 seconds followed by another Kenyan Mark Otieno Odhiambo who was 4th in 10.22 seconds.
Despite finishing second in 10.0 seconds, Omanyala managed to make the qualifying mark for the World Athletics championships set for Tokyo, Japan in September.
In other events, Zablon Ekwam Ekhal was 5th in the 200m at 20.72 seconds with Laban Kipkorir Chepkwony settling for bronze in the 800m men at 1:45.38. other Kenyans in the race were Justice Kipkoech (1:45.91) in position 5 followed by compatriot Nicholas Kiplangat Kebenei (1:46.57), fergusin Cheruiyot Rotich (1:47.08) and Kelvin Kimtai Loti.
Wiseman Were Mukhobe won 400m hurdles silver in 49.07 second behind the champion from South Africa Njabulo Mbatha who won in 49.06 second as home boy victor Nteng completed the podium.
Wilberforce Chemiat Kones (8:38.14) and Amos Kimeli (8:41.29) were in positions 7th and 8th respectively in the 3,000m steeplechase where Ethiopians swept the podium led by Hailemariyam Amare (8:28.00), Milkesa Fikadu (8:28.57) and Demelash Girma (8:29.67).
Reigning world under 20 800m champion Sarah Moraa won silver in the 800m at 1:59.46) in a race won by home girl Oratile Nowe in 1:58.96 as South African Charne swart was third in 2:00.01.
Other Kenyans in the race were Purity Chepkrui and Judy Kemunto who finished in 6th and 7th positions at 2:00.99 and 2:02.07 respectively.