Kenya: Athletes Finish Fourth in Africa Meet in Gaberone

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

17 May 2011

Kenya finished fourth with four gold medals, 11 silver and 3 bronze as the Africa Junior Championships ended in Gaberone, Botswana on Sunday.

Kenyan clinched four silver and two bronze medals on the final day of the championships after failing to clinch gold in the men’s 800m and 5,000m as well as women’s 3,000m steeplechase and 1,500m.

Anthony Chemut failed to win gold in the men’s 800m, settling for silver in 1:47.16. Ethiopia’s Ama Gelato took the gold medal after posting 1:46.62 with South Africa’s Amos Nigel taking the bronze in a time of 1:47.39.

Kenya’s Abraham Kasongo also played second fiddle in the men’s 5,000 meters, clocking 13:41.50 to settle for silver with Ethiopia’s Atnafu Zerihin winning the gold in a time of 13:38.52 and Uganda’s Thomas Ayeko winning the bronze in 13:42.05.

Nancy Chepkemoi won the silver medal in the in the women’s 1,500m after clocking 4:09.25 while Stacy Ndiwa brought home a bronze in 4:11.50.

Veronica Ngosesi finished distant third to win the bronze in the 3,000 meters steeplechase as Kenya fared badly to fierce rivals Ethiopia. Ngosesi posted 10:02.99 to win bronze, behind Ali Adamu of Ethiopia, who obliterated the field in 9:53.80. Compatriot Zewdnah Belachew took silver in10:02.99. Kenya also bagged silver in the 4x400m relay with Sudan taking the gold medal.

South Africa emerged tops with 13 gold 13 silver and eight bronze medals while Ethiopia finished second with 6 gold 4 silver and 7 bronze. Egypt completed the podium with 6 gold 2 silver and 3 silver. Kenya coach Amos Rono said they would have done even better if they had enough time in training. ” This is good performance considering that we had limited time in training. This was a tough event but we gave it our best shot. We will have to start preparations early if we are to win the overall title next time, ” added Rono.

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