National KSSSA Games: Rift Valley Region Shines as Western Reigns Supreme In Short Races
Rabecca Juma, an 18-year-old student at Misimu Secondary School in Bungoma, was the standout athlete at the national secondary school athletics competitions held on Friday at Moi Girls High School – Eldoret. She dominated the 100m, 100m hurdles, and 200m races, clocking impressive speeds of 17:02 seconds, 17:04 seconds, and 24:08 seconds, respectively.
Juma, who finished second in last year’s 100m hurdles race, expressed her joy at winning this year’s race, saying, “I knew I was going to win, I trained hard for it and I want to make sure I keep the momentum in the East African school games.”
In the boy’s category, Alvin Inyangu of Nyang’ori Boys from Vihiga won the 200m race after finishing second in the 100m race, clocking 21:05 seconds. Brian Okoth from Sipala Secondary School in Bungoma finished first in the 100m race, clocking 10:08 seconds.
Inyangu, who was elated after his win, had trained hard to win the race and thanked his trainers and coaches, Mr. Mwema and Mrs. Chebii, for helping him rise to stardom.
In the 400m boy’s category, Emmanuel Soita from Chelebei Secondary School in Bungoma emerged first, clocking 51:03 seconds, while in the 400m hurdles boy’s category, Laban Kipchirchir from Sangalo Secondary in Nandi recorded a speed of 57:2 seconds.
In the women’s 3000m race, Mercy Chepkemoi of Tiloa Secondary School in Nakuru crossed the finishing line first, clocking 9:31:02, while Isca Chelang’at from Kalyet finished second, clocking 9:38:04.
Matthew Kipkogei, the 3000m steeplechase champion, won the 5000m race in the boy’s category, clocking a speed of 14:29:02 minutes with ease. The son of the former 1998 world junior steeplechase champion William Koskei, Kipkogei has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the athletics world.
The 10,000m race in the girl’s category will be represented by two girls from Kalyet Secondary School in Kericho, with Maureen Cherotich leading her counterpart Faith Cherotich after clocking 36:15:01 against Faith’s 36:55:01.
Cherotich, who aims to follow Faith Kipyegon’s footsteps, expressed her confidence in bringing the 10,000m gold medal home, saying, “I was happy to win the race. I was racing against time because I want to set records. I am out to do even better in the future races.”
In the 10,000m walking race in the boy’s category, Samuel Nyanchoga from Itibo Boys in Kisii finished ahead of Vincent Langat from Korosyot Secondary School, clocking a speed of 48:55:02.
Overall, the national secondary school athletics competitions were a showcase of talent and determination, with young athletes from across the country putting their skills to the test in a bid to emerge as champions.
National KSSSA Games: Rift Valley Region Shines as Western Reigns Supreme In Short Races