Youth Commonwealth Games: Chepkoech, Chepngetich earn slots in finals as Anyango throws personal best

Kenya had a fairly successful day on Day Five of the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago as a couple of athletes placed themselves in contention for medals in various athletics finals events.

Top of the list of those who made it to the individual events finals was the women’s 800m duo of Janet Chepkoech and Daisy Chepngetich who earned their slots courtesy of being the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

Chepkoech clocked 2:07.70 in Heat one, and despite finishing fourth, made it to the finals alongside Chepngetich, who was also fourth in a time of 2:14.24.

The same feat was seen in the men’s 800m heats, as Kelvin Kimutai dominated Heat two, clocking 1:50.38 to finish top of the field that saw Canadian Michael Hassey and Caleb McLeod of Scotland earn the next two automatic qualifying spots.

Team captain Amos Kipkemboi was however unfortunate in Heat one as he suffered a hamstring injury, only finishing fifth in a low time of 1:59.06.

In the women’s javelin Carolyne Anyango finished fifth with a personal best throw of 45.45, eclipsing her previous record of 42m that she achieved in the Africa U18 championships in Zambia.

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In the 4x400 mixed relay, the trio of the two record breakers Josephat Sang and Nancy Cherop partnered with Janet Chepkoech and Kelvin Kimutai to secure a slot in the finals set to be the last event of the Club Youth Games.

The ladies beach volleyball finished fourth on Thursday after losing 2-0 to Stevenson Kiana and Hinton Tineke of New Zealand in the bronze medal matchup.

The result comes after they lost their first game 0-2 against Canada.