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History as Omanyala anchors Kenya to African relay title
From left: Kenya's 4*100m relay team Dan Kiviasi, Ferdinand Omanyala, Samuel Imeta and Mike Mokamba that won gold at the Africa Senior Athletics Championships at Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Reduit, Mauritius on June 10, 2022.
What you need to know:
- The Kenyans' feat relegated Akani Simbine’s defending champions South Africa to second place in 39.79 as Zimbabwe claimed bronze in 39.81
- Omanyala’s team victory came just moments after compatriot Veronica Mutua gave Kenya another medal in sprints with bronze from 400m
The newly crowned Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala anchored Kenya to a historic 4x100m relay victory on Friday at Africa Senior Athletics Championships at Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Reduit, Mauritius.
Omanyala, who on Thursday became the second Kenyan to win the 100m African title after Joseph Gikonyo, took over the baton from Mike Mokamba, Samuel Imeta, and Dan Kiviasi before cruising home in 39.28 seconds for victory.
It was the first time Kenya was winning gold in 4x100 at the continental event.
The Kenyans' feat relegated Akani Simbine’s defending champions South Africa to second place in 39.79 as Zimbabwe claimed bronze in 39.81. Nigeria, who took silver at home in 2018 Asaba settled fourth in 39.98.
Ferdinand Omanyala poses with his gold medal after guiding Kenya's 4*100m relay team to victory during the Africa Senior Athletics Championships at Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Reduit, Mauritius on June 10, 2022.
Omanyala’s team victory came just moments after compatriot Veronica Mutua gave Kenya another medal in sprints with bronze from 400m.
Another Kenyan Nicholas Kiplagat claimed silver in 800m with Geoffrey Kirwa going for bronze in 3,000m steeplechase.
Ideally, Kenya gained in collecting medals in men’s 4x100m and women’s 400m but lost the men's 3,000m steeplechase title. The country once again settled for silver in the men's 800m.
Mutua lost the battle to Miranda Coetzee of South Africa and Zambia’s Niddy Mingilishi, who timed 51.82 and 52.86 for gold and silver respectively.
Kiplangat had to wriggle himself from the forest of legs on the inside in the last 30 metres to settle for silver in 1:46.43, losing to Algerian Slimane Moula, who was far much ahead in 1:45.59. Tshepiso Masalela from Botswana took bronze in 1:46.65.
Ethiopians Hailemariyam Amare and Tadese Takele Bikila broke early to accomplish a 1-2 feat in 8:27.38 and 8:28.3 as Kirwa gave a futile chase but was rewarded with the bronze in 8:29.74.
Kenya ended Day 3 with 11 medals; four gold, two silver and five bronze.
Medallists
Gold: Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Winny Chebet (1,500m), Beatrice Chebet (5,000m), 4x100m (men)
Silver: Purity Chepkirui (1,5000m), Nicholas Kiplagat (1,500m)
Bronze: Caroline Nyaga (5,000m), Abraham Longosiwa (10,000m), Geoffrey Kirwa (3,000m steeplechase), Veronica Mutua (400m), 4x400m (Mixed relay)
