By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The Athletics Kenya Masters team is stamping authority with some dazzling performances at the ongoing 25th edition of the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The team coached by Elizabeth Olaba has now won 13 medals that includes three gold medals, six silvers and four bronze medals in the competition that has attracted more than 8,000 participants from 111 countries.
Team Kenya Masters’ captain Eric Sikuku gave a showstopper performance in the Men’s M45 walk-race to claim Kenya’s third gold medal.
The 49-year-old Sikuku who is also the World Indoor champion, was in a class of his own from gun to tape, registering a championship record of 44:16.56 as he cruised to a famous win that sent a charged Kenyan contingent present into frenzy.
“I am so happy today for this victory. I had prepared well for this day and the efforts in training have paid off immensely. It is a significant win for my country and at a personal level. My dream here was to win three gold medals, I have won one and now I start to plan again for the remaining two. I hope to give a good show as well,” a delighted Sikuku said.
Golan Landro of France claimed silver while Italy’s Vincenzo Pongradolfo finished third for bronze.
Francis Bowen and Rosaline David had previously won two gold medals for Kenya in the men and women’s 5000m respectively at the Ullevi Stadium. Kenya has now collected 13 medals, which also includes six silvers and four bronze medals.
Early on, Robert Langat Kibet ran superbly in the men’s 800m for M60 and settled for a silver medal at the Bjorlanda Stadium.
“The race was tough and competitive, I am happy to have finished in second position for silver. I am looking forward to competing in the men’s 1500m.”
Thika-based Jesse Gichui Njoroge grabbed bronze in men’s 5000m at Ullevi while 400 × 100m relay team missed a gold medal by a whisker to land on silver.
The relay team consisted of sprinters Terrah Langat, Michael Makhan, Stephen Barasa and Ibrahim Muya.
Elizabeth Muthoka has qualified for the women’s 200m final today after a successful day in the heats yesterday at the Slotts Stadium.
Kenya’s medalists at the World Masters
Gold medalists
1. Francis Bowen 5,000m M50
2. Rosaline David 5,000m W45
3. Erick Sikuku 10,000m Walk race M45
Silver Medalists
1. Joan Kigen 5000m W45
2. Kenneth Mburu 5000m M50
3. Joshua Kipchumba 3000 m SC M55
4. Grace Kidake 800m W35
5. Robert Kibet 800m M60
6. Samuel Ndereba 5000m M45
Bronze Medalists
1. Sylvia Chesebe 800m W35
2. Ibrahim Muyah 100m M35
3. Men’s Relay 4×100m
4. Jesse Njoroge
