For the first time in its Olympic history, Kenya will be represented in the 100m after both Ferdinand Omanyala and Mark Otieno grabbed tickets having attained the required time on Thursday during the first day of the trials to select Team Kenya.
Omanyala won the sizzling race in 10.02 seconds, setting a new national record on the way while Otieno, erstwhile national record holder finished seconds in 10.05 seconds, the exact required time to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
“I am really happy because I have worked for this for a long time. I was patient with myself despite all the challenges I have faced and today, it was sweet to run at home and earn the ticket. I wasn’t out to prove anyone anything, I just wanted to run my race and try to get the time,” Omanyala said after the race.
Ferdinand Omanyala storms to victory at the Kenyan Olympic trials ahead of Mark Otieno
On his part, Otieno admitted he was almost giving up on the chase for a ticket.
“I have gone for so many races this season and this was my 11th. At least I am thankful I was race fit and coming in to the race today, I was going to give my all. I am human and I was a bit worried because the qualification period was almost done and coming in here, I knew this was the only chance I had,” stated Otieno.
For Omanyala, it was the culmination of a long journey to attaining the Olympic ticket. He had gone to a race in Nigeria, attained qualification mark, but the same wasn’t accepted as it was alleged the race wasn’t sanctioned.
Athletics Kenya had also stated they would not admit the 25-year old into the team on account of a previous doping conviction. However, their invite to the athlete for the trials was the first stamp of approval that they would welcome him on the plane to Tokyo.
On race day, it was a nervous final, with Omanyala and Otieno having easily won their semi heats. There were three false starts, but ultimately when the gun blew, the two put up a superb performance, pushing each other until the finish line.
Once the time popped up on the pitchside screen, the joy was unmatched as the two embraced and jumped in joy.
-Giants Obiri, Kipyegon also through to Olympics
Hellen Obiri and Lilian Kasait embrace after both qualified for the Tokyo Olympics
Meanwhile, athletic giants Hellen Obiri and Faith Kipyegon also confirmed their places in Kenya’s team to Tokyo in the 5,000m and 1500m respectively.
Obiri finished second behind Lilian Kasait in the 5,000m race and earned an automatic ticket alongside the winner.
It was a closely fought and tactical race, with Kasait beating Obiri with a last lap sprint. A leading group of eight athletes stuck together until the bell when Kasait and Obiri bolted upfield, with Agnes Tirop following them.
Obiri waited to striker her devastating last kick in the final 200m, but Kasait was not letting victory slip off her fingers as he kept her tempo to cross the line in 14:52.18 while Obiri came in second after clocking 14:52.51.
Tirop was third in a time of 14:53.91, but has not earned automatic qualification.
“For me the most important thing today was to qualify. I just wanted to come and compete to get the ticket and despite coming second, I feel I am in good shape. Now the focus is to prepare and get ready for Tokyo,” says Obiri, who won silver at the Rio Games in 2016.
Kasait booked a ticket to the Olympics for the first time and she was equally elated.
“This is the most important thing for me. I came here with one aim, to get to the finish line with an Olympic ticket,” Kasait said.
Faith Kipyegon effortlessly walks off the track after winning the 1500m race at the Kenyan trials for the Olympics
In the 1500m race, Kipyegon had little opposition as she broke no sweat in clinching victory in a time of 4:02:10 while WInny Chebet was second in 4:04.62.
“I just wanted to come in and keep my body in shape at home and also, competing here is always great. I feel good and I feel okay and now we just need to make a good program for Tokyo and prepare for good results,” Kipyegon said, barely looking tired from the race.
Meanwhile, several heavyweights all squeezed into the finals of various races. Emmanuel Korir, Michael Saruni, Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal and Ferguson Rotich are through to the 800m final.
In the men’s 5,000m, youngsters Jacob Krop, Nicholas Kimeli, Justus Soget and Daniel Simiyu all sailed to the finals.
Action from the men’s 5,000m at the Kenyan trials for the Tokyo Olympics
The Trials will get into the second day on Friday. Among the events to keep a close eye on are the men’s 10,000m final and the women’s steeplechase final. There will also be the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles finals.
The men’s 10,000m field will be a loaded one with Geoffrey Kamworor and Rio Olympics silver medalist Paul Tanui lining up. Youngsters Rhonex Kipruto and Rodgers Kwemoi will also be in to try and grab one of the two automatic tickets available.
The usual suspects in the women’s steeple led by reigning Olympic champion Beatrice Chepkoech, Hyvin Kiyeng and Celiphine Chespol will be the leading lights.
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