Defending East and Central African junior sprint champion Elijah Mathayo lit up the South Nyanza AK under 18 time trials held in Kisii University with a stellar performance, topping in the 100 and 200 m races.
Mathayo 11.who is the East Africa Secondary Schools champion will lead a strong team heading into the Nairobi pre-trials scheduled for next month.
The pre-trials which involved the four athletics camps of Keroka, Mogonga, Nyota and St Pter's Keberesi, will precede the national trials for the tenth and final edition of the IAAF World under-18 Championships scheduled forJune 12 to 16, 2017.
The Form Three Mogonga Secondary School student demolished the competition in a fine display, storming home in 11.06. Ronald Afiya from St Peter’s Keberesi came in second at 11.36.
In the 200 meters race, Mathayo again stamped his authority, taking first place with a time of 21.98, with Keroka's David Saruni claiming second place with 22.45.
He expressed his joy at the feat, saying he would work towards a time of 10:05 for the forthcoming pre-trials.
“I am working towards lowering my personal best from the10:03 I recorded at the East and Central Africa Athletics Championship in Kigali, Rwanda last year,” said the champion.
His school mate and defending South Nyanza regional champion Mary Moraa shared the spoils with perennial rival Emmaculate Ohuru in the short sprints.
Ohuru won the 100 m race in a time of 12:37, with Beatrice Odera second in 12:52, followed by Florence Akinyi in a time of 12:69. In a rare slump, Moraa claimed fourth place with 12:72
Moraa, however overcame the disappointment to beat her rival Ohuru to the top spot in the 200 m with a time of 25:20. Ohuru was runners up in a time of 26:30.
She vowed to ensure she wins a medal for Kenya at the June championships.
"I am training hard and focused on winning a medal for my country at the championships," said Moraa.
Mogonga Principal Mr Joseph Onchonga attributed the orphan’s loss to her recent bereavement.
“Mary lost her grandmother, who was her only surviving guardian, a week ago. In fact, she left ongoing funeral arrangements at home to attend the trials. Ordinarily, she would have won all her races without much stress,” Mr Onchonga said.
Meanwhile, defending East and Central Africa junior discus champion Akoth Peninah trounced her competition to take home the top honours in the girls’with a throw of 26:50 m. She was followed by Lydia Omosa who managed 23:15.
In the girls’ 1,500 m, Esther Borura from Keberesi overcame a strong field, winning the hotly contested race in4:26. Dolphine Kerubo from Nyota followed her home in4:34, with Mogonga's Esther Oyaro taking third place in4:46.
Keroka’s Daniel Kayiok dominated the men’s 3000 m, clocking 8:24 in a commanding win, followed by Nyota’s Daniel Kipsaisa who finished in 8:49.
Dominic Anthony from Keroka blew away the field with an imperious display, throwing 57:10 m in the men's javelin, with Jesse Jackson a distant second with 49:90 m. Joseph Nyakundi rounded off the top three in a throw of 42:95 m.
Mary Orina claimed the win in the ladies' event, recording 33:40, followed by Lydia Omosa in 27:52, and Teresa Anthony throwing 27:16.