Araptany sounds warning; Ayeko wins gold
Jul 25, 2011
AFTER becoming the first Ugandan to qualify for two world championship events from a local meet, new kid on the block Jacob Araptany sent out a bold warning.
ByJames Bakama
AFTER becoming the first Ugandan to qualify for two world championship events from a local meet, new kid on the block Jacob Araptany sent out a bold warning.
“Kenya should forget a World Championship medal sweep,†said the Africa bronze medallist, who over the weekend, lit up the national athletics championship at Namboole with spectacular 1500m and the steeplechase wins.
“I will win a steeplechase medal in Daegu,†responded Araptany when asked about his chances in South Korea, in an event whose medals have over the years become a special preserve of the Kenyans.
“That boy can do it,†observed coach Ronnie Kasirye, noting that Araptany has great potential for improvement. “In the 1500m he lost crucial seconds constantly checking his watch while in the steeplechase he took long to break away.â€
His 1500m run of three minutes 36.16 seconds was just a second off Julius Acon’s national record while his steeplechase time was five seconds slower than Benjamin Kiplagat’s national mark.
Annet Negesa was also in good form dominating both the women’s 800 and 1500m. She will however have to look beyond local competition if she is to get someone to push her to better times.
Sprinter Ali Ngaimoko might also have to look beyond borders. Ngaimoko was relishing the opportunity presented by the electronic timer at the meet but when the starter’s gun went in the men’s 200m final, it was evident that he lacked competition.
Organisers should in future also be able to quickly sort out entries. It came to everyone’s notice on Saturday that delays in release of results were not because of the new timer, but a mix-up in the entries.
Simon Ayeko won Uganda a gold medal in the World Military Games after winning a tough 3000m steeplechase final, while Rebecca Cheptegei settled for bronze in the women 5000m final at the Joao Havalenge stadium in Rio De Jeneiro, Brazil.
Norman Katende reports that Ayeko’s time of 8 minutes 29.39 seconds also saw him qualify for the World Championships, becoming the third Ugandan athlete to hit the mark in the discipline. It also brought the total number of Ugandan athletes having made the grade for the world meet to 15.
After finishing second in 8 minutes 49 seconds in the semifinal, Ayeko had been regarded as an outsider in the final.
“It was a tough race. I am happy that I am winning my first medal in such a competition,†he said in a message to New Vision.
AFTER becoming the first Ugandan to qualify for two world championship events from a local meet, new kid on the block Jacob Araptany sent out a bold warning.
“Kenya should forget a World Championship medal sweep,†said the Africa bronze medallist, who over the weekend, lit up the national athletics championship at Namboole with spectacular 1500m and the steeplechase wins.
“I will win a steeplechase medal in Daegu,†responded Araptany when asked about his chances in South Korea, in an event whose medals have over the years become a special preserve of the Kenyans.
“That boy can do it,†observed coach Ronnie Kasirye, noting that Araptany has great potential for improvement. “In the 1500m he lost crucial seconds constantly checking his watch while in the steeplechase he took long to break away.â€
His 1500m run of three minutes 36.16 seconds was just a second off Julius Acon’s national record while his steeplechase time was five seconds slower than Benjamin Kiplagat’s national mark.
Annet Negesa was also in good form dominating both the women’s 800 and 1500m. She will however have to look beyond local competition if she is to get someone to push her to better times.
Sprinter Ali Ngaimoko might also have to look beyond borders. Ngaimoko was relishing the opportunity presented by the electronic timer at the meet but when the starter’s gun went in the men’s 200m final, it was evident that he lacked competition.
Organisers should in future also be able to quickly sort out entries. It came to everyone’s notice on Saturday that delays in release of results were not because of the new timer, but a mix-up in the entries.
Norman Katende reports that Ayeko’s time of 8 minutes 29.39 seconds also saw him qualify for the World Championships, becoming the third Ugandan athlete to hit the mark in the discipline. It also brought the total number of Ugandan athletes having made the grade for the world meet to 15.
After finishing second in 8 minutes 49 seconds in the semifinal, Ayeko had been regarded as an outsider in the final.
“It was a tough race. I am happy that I am winning my first medal in such a competition,†he said in a message to New Vision.