• Veterans Wanjiru and Kimutai capture walk Forces titles

  • Share on Facebook  



  • Grace Wanjiru(in the middle)races in the women's 20km at the 2010 Commonwealth games championships.Grace Wanjiru(in the middle)races in the women's 20km at the 2010 Commonwealth games championships.
May 11, 2012-

Walker Grace Wanjiru was the toast of the Kenya Armed Forces Athletics championships as she sauntered to victory in the women’s 20km walk held at the Moi International sports Centre,Kasarani.

Wanjiru the African champion and reigning Kenyan record holder representing Moi Air Base,MAB stopped the clock in 1:37.22, a whole five minutes ahead of Nanyuki’s duo Emily Ngii(1:47.55) and Esther Mangi who ranked second and third respectively.

Seasoned David Kimutai, 42, also extended his dominance in the men’s 20km, which he won in 1:34.32.

The two time All Africa Games champion from Nanyuki looking to qualify for a record fourth Olympics finished ahead of Julius Sawe from Kenya Navy who timed at 1:34.2 and Daniel Pascalui(MAB) who clocked 1:35.08.

The second day of the Armed Forces championships which is being used to select the Military squad for next month’s national championships saw Kahawa’s Caroline Cherotich set a new meet record of 3.15m, erasing her old mark of 3.10m set three years ago.

Priscilla Wanjiru throw of 2.80m ranked her second. Lucy Omondi from Nanyuki’s Hammer throw of 47.27m improving on the 46.36m mark held by Jecinta Awuor of Kenya Navy.

The three day championships climaxes Saturday with the finals where the focus will be the sprints where Commonwealth games champion Mark Mutai will face off Vincent Mumo in the 200m dash.

Mumo won his heat in 21.3 seconds the fastest of the day with Mutai clocked 21.4 in heat.

Mutai also won this 400m semifinal  which he won in an impressive 46.3 seconds ahead of Zachary Kosgey of Thika who timed 47.0 with Mumo again topping his heat in 46.4.

"Am looking forward to squaring it out with Mumo and I expect a closely contested race. But its the preparations I need to qualify for the Olympics,"said the All African Games Bronze medalist looking for his first olympic ticket.

Mumo predicted a difficult final.

"I expect things to be tougher in the finals."

 Sportsnewsarena Correspondent

© All rights reserved