Eventful para athletics national trials conclude in Eldoret

John Lokedi and Nancy Chelangat emerged victorious in the 5,000m category of the Para Athletics National Trials that concluded at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium on Saturday, January 20.

The trials had been ongoing since January 18 and featured all events in the para-athletic track and field disciplines including javelin, shot put, 100m, 200m, 1,500m, and 5,000m.

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The main aim of the trials was to select para-athletes who will represent Kenya in subsequent national, regional, and international International Paralympic Competition events, including the Tunis Games slated for March 2024 and the Japan World Championships penciled for May 2024.

All these will help the athletes sharpen their skills in readiness for the Paris 2024 Olympics, set for Friday, July 26, to Sunday, August 11. The athletes will also use the event to prepare for the Paralympic Games.

The event was graced by Kenya National Paralympic Committe (KNPC) Secretary General Stanley Mutuma, who noted that they selected athletes between 30-35 athletes for international showpieces in Dubai, Tunisia, and Japan.

“We are here for the national trials to select the best athletes to represent the country at the Paralympic Games but before Paris, we have qualifying events in Dubai, Tunisia, and Japan for para-athletes. We have about 12 counties and because this is the county of champions, the majority of our athletes come from this region,” Mutuma said.

He explained that the athletes had to attain a qualifying time with a certain minimum time.

For instance, T11-T13 was for visually challenged athletes while T36, T46, T56 represented physically challenged athletes doing track and field.

“We have the minimum qualifying time for each category and the top three will make the cut. We invited members of the public, coaches among others to oversee our events,” said Mutuma.

He thanked the Ministry of Sports for availing the Kipchoge Keino Stadium and Uasin Gishu County for facilitating a part of their needs during the three-day event.

Athletes from more than 10 counties graced the competition.

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5,000m Men

John Lokedi 15:32:6

Benard Koskei 15:40:6

Victor Cheruiyot 15:56:3

5,000m Women

Nancy Chelangat 62:8

Mary Waithera 66:1

Salome Jeruto 82:7

500m Men

Erick Sang 16:35:6

Samwel Mushai 16:43:5

Wilson Bii 16:49:4

1500m Men

Samuel Mushai 04:22:6

Wilson Bii 04:23:8

Erick Sang 04:25:7

1500m Women

Priscah Jepkemoi 05:05:7

Mary Waithera 05:06:3

400m T12

Nelly Nasimiyu 65:5

Caren Chepngetich 66:9

Abigael Arupe 77:4

400m T37

Japan Kirwa 58:2

Anthony Nzomo 60:9

400m T47

Brian Kimutai 52:2

Joseph Kiptanui 52:5

200m T47

Neema Stacy Obonyo 26:9

100m

Neema Stacy Obonyo 12:8 T47

Caroline Mutindi 13:4 T46

100m T12

Brian Esogon 11:2

Jairus Ongeta 11:4

Pius Wafula 11:6

Long Jump

Catherine Mutindi 4.69m

Neema Stacy Obonyo 4.53m

Emmanuel Bett 4.52m

Vincent Mutai 6.67m

Robert Kiprotich 6.40m

Samson Ojuka 5.47m

Brian Esogon 6.30m

Javelin

Nelly Jeptoo 16.10m

Ann Wacuka 14.35m

Esther Asega 14.27m

Robert Kiprotich 45.30m

Nathan Kemboi 43.70m

Shotput

Winrose Nafula 6.74m

Rajab Chetty 10.46m