Celestine Biwott, 21, from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), made a triumphant return after a long absence, winning the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the second leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field Weekend Meeting at the Thika Municipal Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Biwott clocked 10:16.3 to secure the top spot, finishing ahead of Dorothy Kimutai (11:00.4) and Ann Gathoni (11:02.2), who placed second and third, respectively.
This victory marked Biwott’s first track and field race in over a year, a significant milestone for the athlete.
The win further solidified her goal of securing a place in the Kenyan team for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year, in August-September.
The 21-year-old also competed at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret the previous weekend, where she clocked 7:11 to finish ninth in the women’s 2km loop.
In other events on Friday, triple African champion Samuel Gathimba showed his experience by winning the men’s 20km race walk with a time of 41:44.7.
He finished ahead of 2021 World Under-20 champion Herristone Wanyonyi (42:40.6) and Stephen Ndangiri (42:55.2), who took second and third, respectively.
Sylvia Kemboi, the 2022 African bronze medalist, triumphed in the women’s 20km race walk, clocking 49:56.7.
Mercyline Nakhumicha finished second in 50:34.9, while Naum Jepkirui took third in 51:34.1.
In the men’s high jump, African decathlon bronze medalist Edwin Too claimed victory with a jump of 1.90m. KDF’s Bismark Soi and Nickson Sigei followed in second and third, both clearing 1.85m.
Faith Jepkemboi took first place in the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.68m, ahead of Moureen Wafula (1.61m) and Ann Muhanda (1.50m), who finished second and third, respectively.
The competition will conclude on Saturday with more exciting finals set to take place.
