Mwaniki backs Kenyan speedsters for bumper medal harvest in Accra show

Sprinters Jason Ogega (023) and John Kyengo (173) compete in a previous AK event/ TEDDY MULEI

National sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki is optimistic of a bumper medal harvest for Kenyan sprinters at next week's Africa Senior Championships following an encouraging outing at the World Relays in Botswana.

The continental showpiece is set to burst into life from May 12 to May 17 in Accra. Kenyan speed merchants head into the championships buoyed by their recent global assignment in Gaborone.

While the podium proved elusive, the teams left an indelible impression, underlining the nation’s growing stature in the sprints. The mixed 4x400m relay squad took a significant leap forward, storming to qualification for the World Athletics Championships. The quartet also secured a coveted berth at the inaugural World Ultimate Championships set for September in Budapest, Hungary.

Meanwhile, the men’s 4x100m relay team blazed into the record books, clocking a national record time of 38.27 seconds, slicing 0.08 seconds off the previous national mark of 38.35 set last year in Guangzhou, China.

Mwaniki believes the building blocks are firmly in place for the sprinting breakthrough in Accra, drawing from the Botswana assignment. 

“The bulk of the team from Botswana will head to the African Senior Athletics Championships. I believe we are going to win many medals in the short sprints,” Mwaniki said, exuding quiet confidence. A blend of experience and emerging firepower will spearhead Kenya's charge. 

In the men’s 100m, former national record holder Mark Otieno teams up with Ronald Koech and Moses Wasike.

The women’s 100m dash will see seasoned campaigner Millicent Ndoro lead the charge alongside Lilian Aoko and Eunice Kadogo. National 100m hurdles record holder Rukia Nusra will carry the nation’s hopes solo in her speciality, while Aoko doubles up as Kenya’s lone entrant in the women’s 200m.

In the men’s 200m sprint, Dennis Mwai fronts the charge alongside Koech and Elkana Sabila. Mercy Chebet, Hellen Syombua and Maureen Wafula line up in the women’s 400m, as Kelvin Kiprotich, Dennis Masika and George Mutinda take on the men’s race.

Over the barriers, Gladys Ngure and Vanice Kerubo will headline the women’s 400m hurdles, with Kipkorir Rotich and Edward Ngunjiri spearheading the men’s challenge. Mwaniki is convinced that the strides made in Botswana have elevated Kenya into genuine podium contention.

“Everyone is now seeing Kenya as a podium contender. Relay events are very technical, and we have really improved in baton handovers,” he noted. With the continental showdown looming, the focus has now shifted to fine-tuning the athletes’ top-end velocity and endurance. “We just need to concentrate more on speed endurance,” Mwaniki added.

Kenya will be eager to better its modest return from the 2024 edition in Douala, where the nation managed just two medals in the sprints. The men’s 4x400m quartet of Kevin Kipkorir, Kelvin Tauta, David Sanayek and Brian Tinega powered to silver in 3:02.34, while the women’s team of Joan Cherono, Veronica Mutua, Esther Mbagari and Chebet secured bronze in 3:32.65.