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Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, world 800m champion Lilian Odira and race walking star Sylvia Kemboi were among the standout performers as the Athletics Kenya National Championships and Commonwealth Games trials got underway at Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.
The opening day of competition brought together some of the country’s finest athletes seeking national titles and places in Team Kenya for next year’s Commonwealth Games, with several established stars living up to expectations.
Kemboi, fresh from winning silver at the African Championships in Accra, Ghana, extended her impressive run of form by clinching the women’s 20km race walk national title. The experienced athlete crossed the line in 48:39.2, comfortably ahead of Violet Chepkemoi, who clocked 49:53.4, while Caren Simiyu settled for third in 50:54.5.
“The race was good, but the weather was a bit of a challenge. I persevered and pushed on,” said Kemboi after her victory.
