Kirwa aiming for African Championships mark

After coming second at the first Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field meet at Nyayo, national triple jump champion and Police Service record holder Isaac Kirwa is on a mission to qualify for the senior Africa Games during the second AK meet next weekend. 

Kirwa managed 15.79 with his third jump after posting 14.95 and 15.15 in his first and second jumps of the final held on Saturday, 27 February at Nyayo National Stadium to place second.

Elijah Kipkorir had already set the pace for a win with a massive 16.15 third jump in the heats and identical 16.20 jumps in the first and third rounds of the final to win the first AK meet. Eric Maina finished third with a 15.70 jump.  

"That was my first competition in a long time and I am impressed with the distance I managed. I had concentrated on power training since January and was yet to take on speed and flight training. After the first AK meet I went back to my base in Nyeri and began flight training. I am in good shape and confident that I will hit the 16.0p distance which is set as the qualifying distance for the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) event," said the Kiganjo-based NPS athlete. 

He continued, "I am yet to begin speed training as that requires a proper track which I do not have at my training base. After qualification for the African event, I will then move to Nairobi to prepare for the Olympics trials where speed work will come in handy. As part of my speed training I run in the 400m and relays which I intend to do in the thrid AK track and field meet." 

Athletics Kenya is encouraging participation in field event in an effort to widen Kenya's medal poll in international championships and the industrious Kirwa is among the most promising athletes on the verge of breaking into the desired bracket.