African Games: Kenya bags five medals in action-packed Tuesday

Team Kenya bagged four medals on Tuesday 19 March at the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana.

US-based Winnie Bii and Edwin Kimutai surprising many by clinching silver medals in unfamiliar events, marking significant achievements for Kenya in previously uncharted territories.

Bii secured her silver in the triple jump event with a leap of 13.64 meters, closely trailing behind Nigeria's Ruth Usoro, who claimed gold with a jump of 13.80 meters. Senegal's Saly Sarr secured the bronze medal with a jump of 13.60 meters.

Kimutai impressed in the decathlon, earning silver with a total of 7140 points, finishing behind Algeria's Dhiae Cherif who claimed gold with 7550 points. Egypt's Mahmoud Taher Abdelazim secured the bronze with a total of 6643 points.

Meanwhile, World 800m champion Mary Moraa led Kenya to another bronze medal in the mixed 4x400m relay, alongside teammates David Sanayek, Mourine Thomas, and Kennedy Kimeu, with a time of 3:18.03.

The gold went to Nigeria, who set an African record of 3:13.26, while Botswana claimed silver with a time of 3:13.99.

Moraa also secured her place in the women’s 400m final after finishing first in the first semi-final with a time of 51.55 seconds.

In other events, Evans Kiptum brought home a bronze medal for Kenya in the men’s 10,000m with a time of 29:47.61.

Ethiopian athletes Bogale Nibret and Diriba Gemechu claimed gold and silver respectively.

Vivian Chebet added to Kenya's medal tally with a bronze in the women’s 800m event, with a time of 1:59.42, as Ethiopia's Duguma Tsige took gold and Uganda's Halima Nakaayi settled for silver.

Kenya's impressive performance has seen the nation collect a total of 14 medals so far — three silver and 11 bronze, placing them at 25th position in the overall standings.

African Games: Okutoyi in pivotal semis clash after Tuesday exploits

Today's main events

Women's 20KM walk final - 10:30 AM EAT

Kenya will be represented by Sylvia Kemboi and Emily Ngii who will be up against Ethiopians Alem Deresa, Teshager Masire, Wubalem Shugute amongst others.

Men's 20KM walk final - 1045 AM EAT

Dominic Ndigiti, Samuel Gathimba will face off with Ethiopians Misgana Waguma, Metebea Endeshaw, Misgana Wakuma, Melese Mulu, Ndembele Sizu from South Africa amongst others.

Women's 100M hurdles final - 8:30PM EAT

Fast-rising Kenya sprinter Rukia Nusra will batte against highly-rated Nigerians Amusan Oluwatobiloba, Faith Osamuyi as well as Toure Madina from Burundi, Cecilia Guambe from Mozambique amongst others.

Women's 400M Final - 7:40PM EAT

Mary Moraa is Kenya's only representative in this race. She faces stiff competition from Botswana's Jele Lydia, Samira Awali from Ivory Coast and Esther Alo from Nigeria.

Women's 3000m Steeplechase - 8:05PM EAT

Kenyan trio of Beatrice Chepkoech, Caren Chebet and Purity Kirui have a perfect opportunity to reinforce Kenya's dominance in this race but they will also face a strong challenge from Ugandan Peruth Chemutai and the Ethiopian trio of Sembo Almayew, Lomi Muleta and Ayana Gesese.

Women's 4x100m Relay Final - 9:20PM EAT

The Kenya 4x100 team will be up against Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Libria and Namibia in this race.

Men's 800m Final - 9:05PM

Alex Kipngetich and Aoron Cheminingwa will be hoping to guide Kenya to a 1-2 finish in the 800M final this evening. They will come up against Ethiopian Yohanes Tefera, Kadri Ahmed from Tunisia, Tom Dradigra from Uganda and Nabil Oussama from Morocco among others.