MARY MORAA GUARANTEES GOLD IN ACCRA, WITH THE UNVEILING OF TEAM KENYA.

As the 400-meter race at the Africa Games gets underway in Accra, Ghana on Friday, world 800-meter champion Mary Moraa will be aiming to break the national record.

In the women's 400-meter final at the African Games Trials on Wednesday at Nyayo Stadium, Moraa put on a strong performance, clocking 51.25 seconds. Completed the podium in the event were Jackline Nanjala (53.40) and Maureen Nyatichi (53.430). 

Better outcomes this time around was what Moraa, popularly known as the "Kisii Express," promised her admirers. In the 2019 African Games, held in Rabat, Morocco, Moraa finished fourth with a score of 51.97. 

"I want to let my supporters know that a national record in Ghana is likely. "I'm prepared for the championships now," she declared.

 She stated that her goal in competing in the 400 meters was to increase her 800 meters speed. "I decided to compete in the 400-meter race because I want to increase my speed in the 800-meter race."

 The 23-year-old added that on April 20, she would also be competing in the Kip Keino classic.

"I intend to compete in the 600-meter race as well, to break the record," she stated.

Beatrice Chepkoech, the silver medallist in the world 3,000-meter steeplechase, won the women's 5,000-meter event with style, clocking in at 15:29.69. She escorted Sandrafelis Chebet (16:01.330) and Mary Mananu (15:45.45) to the podium.

Chepkoech said she chose the trials to assess her physique. She returned to the country yesterday from Glasgow, Scotland, where she was competing in the World Indoor Championships. "I arrived on Tuesday and am still experiencing jet lag. Since I also have the sick, I didn't think I would win today," she said.

 In the indoor championships, the 32-year-old finished with a bronze medal in the 3,000-meter short track (8:22.68). She competed in the 2018 competition in Birmingham, England, where she finished seventh in the 1,500m short track in 4:13.69. This was before her podium finish on Saturday in Scotland.

Chepkoech stated that winning the medal in Scotland would aid her in reaching her goal of placing third in the Olympics.

"I'm happy I got a medal at the World Indoor Championships to raise my hopes for the Olympics," she said.

Hesborn Ochieng qualified for the African Games by setting a personal best in the men's 100 meters with a time of 10.22 seconds. Steven Onyango of the KDF finished second in 10.35, and Meshack Babu finished third in 10.36.

Ochieng stated that he wants to qualify for the Olympics in 10 seconds or less. "I'll focus on my final 20 meters of the race. "My start is excellent, but my finish could use some improvement," he said.

With a final time of 11.63, Esther Mbagari demonstrated why she is still the greatest woman in the 100-meter sprint. Doreen Waka (11.88) and Eunice Kadogo (11.80 seconds) came in second and third, respectively, behind her.

Mbagari stated that her goal in Accra would be to run a sub-11 second time. "I'm happy that I made it to the African Games." There, I hope to run my best time," she said.

KDF's Dismus Lokira won the men's 10,000m with a strong time of 28:36.77. Evans Keitan (28:41.42) and Francis Abong (28:38.96) completed the podium. It's difficult to join the Kenyan team. I'm happy that I managed to get a spot. My goal is to win a gold medal in Ghana," stated Lokira.

Rukia Nusra won the women's 100-meter hurdles in a time of 14.17, better than Gladys Muthoni (14.97) and Veronica Chebet (14.98).

Julius Yego, the African record holder in the men's javelin, won the competition with a throw of 77.81 meters. Methusella Kiprop cleared 72.72 meters, while Alex Kiprotich came in second with a distance of 75.37 meters.