Mercy Oketch targets a place in the final after a strong start at the World Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland.
The national 400m indoor record holder opened Kenya’s campaign in the 400m qualifying rounds with a composed second-place finish timing 51.57, behind Czech Republic’s Lurdes Manuel (51.08), to safely advance to the semi-finals set for tonight.
“I am hoping for the best in the semis. It’s my first time, I am still learning and gaining more experience,” Oketch said, crediting her solid build-up for the performance.
In the men’s 400m, Brian Tinega also progressed after finishing second in 46.21 behind Canada’s Christopher Morales-Williams (45.51).
In the women’s 800m, however, Kenya’s campaign suffered a setback as both Rosemary Longisa and Gladys Chepngetich exited in the heats.
Longisa placed fifth in 2:03.48 in a stacked opening heat won by world record holder Keely Hodgkinson (2:00.32), ahead of Valentina Rosamilia and Nina Vukovic.
“The race was good but a bit tough. It was a good experience for me and I felt good,” said Longisa, who nonetheless expressed pride in representing Kenya on the global stage.
Chepngetich also finished fifth in her heat in 2:02.23, with Norway’s Pernille Antonsen winning ahead of Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin and Spain’s Rocio Arroyo.
“It was my debut at the World Championships. Running against professional athletes is hard, but I tried my best,” Chepngetich said, citing fatigue from the NCAA circuit.
In the men’s 800m, Noah Kibet advanced to the semi-finals after winning his heat in 1:45.84 ahead of Maceij Wyderka and Sean Dolan.
