Kenya’s Edmund Serem had no equals in the 3,000m steeplechase while Lilian Odira and Sarah Moraa hit World Championship qualifying times in 800m at Kip Keino Classic.
Kenya’s Edmund Serema lived up to the hype as he resisted a strong Ethiopian challenge to win the 3,000m steeplechase at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday.
Serem, the world U20 champion, had to find enough strength in the final stretch as he had five Ethiopian runners breathing down his neck but went on to win in 8:27.68 to the delight of the home crowd.
Ethiopian Dinka Fikadu was second in a new personal best time of 8:27.97 with compatriot Gemechu Godana in third place also in a personal best time of 8:31.82.
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Young Kenyan sprinter Mercy Oketch broke Mary Moraa’s 400m national record as she stormed to victory at Kip Keino Classic.
Serem Attributes Success to Home Crowd
Three more Ethiopians Girma Daraba (8:32.39), Yanatan Tadesse (8:38.98) and Zalalem Asfaw (8:42.39) finished in fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively, showing the difficult task Serem had on his hands.
“I competed last week in Rabat [Diamond League] and now at home. I’m overwhelmed by how the crowd has cheered me. That’s a memory I will always carry with me when I’m competing outside,” said the African 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist.
Meanwhile, in the women’s 800m, Lilian Odira and Sarah Moraa both clocked personal bests to finish first and third respectively.
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Kenya’s 400m hurdles sensation Wiseman Were lowered the Kip Keino Classic record and also hit the World Championship qualifying standard but he still has some regrets.
Odira and Moraa Hit World Championship Marks
Odira, the African silver medalist, won the race in a time of 1:58.31, to shrug off the challenge of Oratile Nowe of Botswana, who also managed a personal best after timing 1:58.47, while Moraa, the world U20 champion, timed 1:58.96 to complete the podium.
“I have really worked hard from the cross-country build-up. I was coming to gauge my body. Clocking a new personal best in my first 800m outdoor competition was huge — and qualifying for Tokyo,” said Odira.
The two Kenyan athletes also hit the World Championships qualifying mark which puts them in good stead towards sealing a ticket to the global event in Tokyo, Japan in September.
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Kenya’s javelin great Julius Yego could not manage a place on the podium on home soil following a disappointing performance at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi.
