Kiprotich graces National Athletics Championships

Jul 20, 2017

The former World and Olympic champion caught the sparse crowd by surprise

Stephen Kiprotich on Wednesday made his first competitive track appearance at home since 2012.

This was in the 10,000 meter final of the opening day of the national athletics championship at Namboole.

Also in action in the same race was Moses Kipsiro who finished second in the 25 lap event won by Timothy Toroitich.

Kiprotich got the sparse crowd by surprise as his entry into the two day meet was not officially announced.

But just when the spectators were beginning to anxiously look to a strong battle between the two super stars, Kiprotich dropped out.

The Olympic and world champion quit in the tenth lap complaining of muscle pain. "Something is not right," he said pressing his right leg.

Timothy Toroitich eventually won the race in a slow 28:37.78.

This was well outside the 27:45.00 required for next month's World Championships in London.

Kenya's Boniface Mwereza was the only competitor who hit the London mark.

The All Africa Games silver medalist clocked 45.42 in the men's 400m. Uganda Wildlife Authority's Leonard Opiny was second in 46.05.

It was a close battle in the opening 300m between the two quarter milers before Mwereza took charge with a powerful finish.

Mwereza's coach Peter Gatana was a very happy man. "It is a very big burden off me. He has always been coming close to qualification this season."

Equally in good form was another Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala who won the 100m in 10.29. This was however outside the 10.12 London mark.

Action continues today with the final round of local athletics' biggest event, which is also the last chance at qualification for London.

A total of 22 Ugandans have so far qualified for the global meet.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});