Kenya's hopes in sprints pay off in 400m

Host country Kenya bidding to secure medals in the sprints was boosted as it entered two athletes in the men 400m finals on the second day of the Africa Athletics Championships on Thursday.

Anderson Mureta will have to take his sprint a gear up against Africa's champion Gary Kakaya who won in the third semifinal.

Mureta Mutegi finished second in the fourth heat in a time of 46.72 behind African record holder, Gary Kikaya of Democratic Republic of Congo (46.52).

Libya's Mohammed Khawaja won the second heat with a time of 45. 42 with Mark Kiprotich Mutai coming in second by clocking 45.69 with Nigeria's Obakeng Ngwigwa finishing third.

Kenya's Geoffrey Ngeno was eliminated in the 400m first semifinal by finishing in fifth spot by returning 46.45 to miss out.

The first semifinal was won by Sudan's Rabah Yusif with a time of 48.82 ahead of Ethiopia's Bereke Gebresadik Desta by clocking 45.97 as Nigeria's Saul Weigopwa was third timing 46.21.

In the women's 400m race, the first semifinal was won by Senegal's Thiam Amy Mbacke who clocked 52.48 as compatriot Seck Fatou Ndeye Soumah was second by timing 52.53 with Estic Witthstock of South Africa finishing third with a time of 52.95.

In the second semifinal, Amantle Montsho of Botswana won by clocking 50.39 beating Nigeria's Shade Abugan to second place with a time of 52.28 with Zambia's Rachel Nashula clocking 52.28.

Meanwhile, Nigerians had every reason to smile after they bagged two gold medals in a span of five minutes and a championship record to boot.

They won in women's 100m and 100m hurdles. Olympic long jump bronze medalist Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare broke the Africa women 's 100m record by clocking 11.03.

Okagbare equaled her personal best to break the record held by compatriot, three-time All Africa Games 100m women's champion Mary Onyali (11.05).

But that was just but her "first" gold, as she plans to bag three more, in long jump, triple jump and as well as anchoring her team in the 4x100m relay.

"Am working towards achieving the feat, with God's grace," she said. "If at I'm fit, I'm sure I'll achieve that feat. I want to be among the best in the world."

The Nigerian edged Gabon's Pau Milana Zang Perenes to settle for the silver by clocking 11.15 (Gabon's national record) as she denied a Nigeria clean sweep. Nigeria's Damola Osayemi returned 11. 22 to bag the bronze. Her compatriot Agnes Osazuwa was fourth with season best time of 11.33.

In the men's category, the 2007 All Africa Games 200m bronze medalist Metu Obinna of Nigeria couldn't keep the pace Ben Youseff Meite of Cote d'Ivoire, who clocked 10.08 to post his personal best.

Source: Xinhua