Africa-Press – Kenya. Identical twins Nyanchoka Machoka and Janes Machoka stole the show during the Athletics Kenya Nyanza South track and field championships at Kisii University on Monday.
Janes won the 200m race while Nyanchoka emerged victorious in the 400m race. Janes clocked 25:66 beating junior international Sharon Moraa to second place in 25:98.
In the 400m Nyanchoka finished in 58:05 beating Omoyo primary school pupil Mary Kwamboka to second place. Kwamboka who finished third during the national primary school athletics championships clocked 61:00.
Nyanchoka and Janes are students at St Peter’s Keberesi High School in Kisii County. “The competition was not stiff here. I hope to do well at the nationals,” said Nyanchoka.
Moraa, who was part of the quartet that won bronze in 4x100m under 18 relay in Ndola, Zambia, clinched the 100m title. The Keberesi student won the race in 12:58 and was followed in second place by Phillian Nyamusi.
Elias Mose beat veteran Boaz Araka to win the highly contested 100m race. Mose clocked 11.2 while Araka finished in 11.3. In the Men’s 400 m, Gilbert Nyamao emerged winner after crossing the finishing line in 48:00. He was trailed by Dominic Nyabuto (50:14) in second place.
Danson Manyara (3:50:32) claimed the men’s 1,500m beating Vincent Momanyi (3:52.92) and favourite Felix Boera (3:53:10) to second and third places respectively.
Speaking after the race, Boera said: “I have just come back from an injury. I led for the better part of the race but didn’t have the finishing power. I will work hard ahead of the nationals,” said Boera.
Mary Nyaboke won the women’s 1,500m race in 4:37:45 edging Mercy Ondieki (4:39:71) to second place. Junior international Dorca Isoe bagged the 800m title.
She clocked 2:12:50 and was followed by Sarah Joel (2:19:60) while in the men’s category, Vincent Momanyi emerged victorious in 1:51:40 while Pesi Leshoo was second in 1:54.45.
Experienced Richard Atuya (14:21:13) ran a tactical race to win the men’s 5,000m. Aroh Kiplangat (14:26:28) and Dominic Soiti (14:45:28) who exchanged leads for the better part of the race before Atuya unleashed a strong finishing kick to win the race.
Jane Gati (17:08:00) led from gun to tape to win the women’s 5,000m race ahead of Winnervine Orwoba (18:36:10) while Deborah Oeri (19:16:40) was third.
The top two athletes in each event were selected to represent the region at the national athletics championships to be held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on June 22-24. The team will be coached by Bernard Mayaka while Lydia Matogo was named the chaperone. William Chacha is the team manager
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