Nineteen athletes make qualifying mark for World Masters

 

Athletes running on track

Nineteen athletes (seven women and 12 men) have punched their tickets for the World Masters Athletics Championships scheduled for August 13-25 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The trials, held on Friday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, saw 300 participants compete for a slot in Team Kenya for the World Masters.

The 2011 African Games bronze medallist Sylvia Chesebe met the W35 56.20 qualifying mark in the women’s 400m, clocking an impressive 54.24. Jacinta Shikanda followed with a time of 1:04.58.

“The race was not competitive. I am used to running in the seniors and the Masters do not have that much competition,” Chesebe said.

Despite her confidence, she remains cautious but optimistic about her chances in Sweden.

“This will be my first World Masters. I took part in the African Masters last year and won gold in two events. I do not know the level of competition I will be up against but I am optimistic of a podium finish,” she added.

During the African Masters held on November 16-18 in Pretoria, South Africa, Chesebe clinched the W35 400m and 800m titles in 56.18 and 2:07.54 respectively.

Ultra Marathon racer Jesse Njoroge met the M40 qualifying mark in the men’s 5,000m in 15:01.04.

Njoroge wanted to gauge his body through Friday’s trials.

“I have been doing Ultra marathons but took part in today’s race to test my body,” he stated.

Though he aimed for a 13-minute finish, Njoroge was satisfied with his performance.

“Before the race I had put a target of running 13 minutes but the field was not competitive,” he said. “However, I am glad I was able to win. I executed my race according to my preparations,” Njoroge stated.

Njoroge is determined to clinch gold in Sweden after having a successful attempt at the trials.

“I expect nothing short of gold in Sweden. I have seen the areas that need to improve. I will work on them before August,” he added.

Rosaline David (17:31.5) and Joan Chepchirchir (17:48.8) met the qualifying time of 18:00.0 in the W45 5,000m. Emmy Chepngetich finished third in 18:07.2.

Making her debut appearance in the masters, Rosaline stated that she had not expected to emerge victorious but pushed herself in the final stretch.

“This was my first time in the Masters. I did not expect to win. I pushed myself in the final lap after realising I had a chance,” Rosaline stated.

She targets a podium finish in Sweden.

“I know it will be tough but I am confident,” she stated.

The mother-daughter duo of Ruth and Elizabeth Muthoka made the cut in their respective events.

Ruth clocked 41.00 in the W70 100m race while Elizabeth met the W50 200m mark of 28.50 with a time of 28.33.

“The race was tough. Speed tends to go lower with age. I was not expecting to meet the qualifying time but am glad I did,” Elizabeth stated.

Erick Shikuku made the 45:30.0 qualifying mark in the M45 year category 10km walk after clocking 45:07.7.

“The race was fair. I had prepared adequately. From my performance today, I am confident I can clinch gold in Sweden,” Shikuku said.

Other notable athletes who qualified include Esther Kavaya, who clocked 16.95 in the W65 100m (17.0 qualifying time) while Peter Lelel made the M70 1,500m qualifying mark (6:00.0) with 5:33.93. Francis Bowen qualified in the M50 with a 15:13.97 finish in the 5,000m.

BY THE STAR