Habari Za Wiki- 8th February, 2022

The Running News

A Fantastic start to the season for Africa’s Fastest man

Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala once again set a new national record for 60m this Friday at the meeting Elite De Miramas In France. The event was the second leg of the 2022 World indoor athletics bronze meeting the first leg having been held in the Czech Republic a week ago.

Omanyala who holds the record in 100m timed 9:77 broke the 17-year national record twice first in the heats where he clocked 6:65 then 6:63 in the finals where he finished first.

Omanyala beat Kayhan Ozer of Turkey who came second in 6:67 While Viktor Contaret of France timed 6:68 to finish in third place.
Omanyala said that the race was more of training to him as he builds towards the outdoor season and that he targets to run 6:40 before the World Indoor Championships.

He is scheduled to compete in Mondeville Meeting on Wednesday, February 9th, and later the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais on February 17th. 

Keep Flying the Kenyan flag high Omanyala we are proud of you!

Mumbua Triumphs at AK meet

Agnes Mumbua's win came as a surprise to many this past weekend as she won the 10,000m during the Athletics Kenya Meet at the Nyayo National stadium. Agnes finished first in 33:17:18 followed by Emily Chebet who came second in 33:55:52. Dorothy Kipikach finished in third place in 33:57:29.

“I’m happy to have won today's race as I wasn't expecting to finish in first or second place but I thank God for the win,” said Agnes after the race. Agnes said she had plans to compete for Kenya at the World Championships and Commonwealth games and despite this win being the first 10k win she plans on doing her best this year and hopes for a fantastic year ahead.

In other races, Mary Moraa won the 400m after crossing the line in 53:41 seconds. Linda Kageha finished second as Mercy Adija settled for third place in 54:73 and 55:18 respectively. 

Mary Moraa who shifted to 800m said she was using the race to test her speed as she targets a podium finish at the world championships this year.

In the Men's 400m Hurdles John Gikonyo was the man of the day as he clocked 51:04 to finish in the first place. William Bevi came second in 51:09 as Vincent Kosgei clocked 52:02 to take third place.

In the Women’s 400m hurdles, Joan Chege won the race in 1:01:27 with Agnes Ngumbi taking second place in 1:02:16 and Priscila Tabunda finishing closely in third place (1:02:72).

Focus now shifts to the second series which is set to happen in Kisumu on February 19th and later the third meeting which will be held in Embu on the 5th of March 2022.

What an exciting year for the new stars coming up! We definitely can’t wait to see what you all have in store for us.

Non-Kenyan News 

Great Britain's Record holder in 60m and 100m hurdles retires

Tiffany Porter, 34-year-old GB record holder in the 60m and 100m hurdles ends a career in which she won four medals at the outdoor World Championships and competed at three Olympic Games. Tiffany won bronze in the 60m hurdles at the 2021 European Indoor Championships, as sister Cindy Sember took silver.