National Athletics Championship: Tough day one

By James Bakama

KAMPALA - Qualification for Beijing proved too hard on the opening day of the National Athletics Championship on Friday.

No one could meet the Beijing World Championship standards in local athletics’ biggest event with the competition slated to carry on Saturday.

Joshua Cheptegei ran the fastest men’s 5000 meters ever in Namboole but the effort was not enough to give him a Beijing slot.

The world junior 10000m champion had the crowd on its feet as he cruised to victory.

But the Police Athletics Club runner was later disappointed on learning that he had missed the Beijing mark by just five seconds.

He finished the 12 ½ lap race in 13:28.50. The Beijing requirement is 13:23.00.

“I thought I had hit the mark. But maybe some serious pace-setting could have helped,” said Cheptegei at the finish.
 

Agnes Aneno won the women's 400m race. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Equally in similar form was Prisons Janet Achola who also ran the fastest women’s 1500m time ever in Namboole. She clocked 4:15.88 – some nine seconds short of the Beijing world meet requirement (4:06.50).

However both Cheptegei and Achola’s times were within the Congo Brazzaville All Africa Games entry standards.

Lucy Aber was also impressive in the women’s javelin when she threw 50.78 meters.



Women's javelin
 

Lucy Aber threw threw 50.78 meters. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

 

Carolyne Aber in action at Namboole. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

 

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Nancy Okot goes for the throw. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

 

The short sprints that have in recent years lacked serious competitions had different fortunes this time.

The men’s 100 meters, won by Theodrah Kigonya in 10.71 seconds, had a record five heats. The Beijing requirement, however, is 10.16.



Men's 100m final
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kigonya powers through the 100m course to beat all. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

 

 

Here, his beloved fans jubilate. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

 

 

From left, Kigonya, Kasirye and Isabirye. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

 

Men's 1500m semi final
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women's 100m final (Ayokuru beats all)
 

 

 

 

 

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Women's 1500m final
 

 

 

 

Patrick Kibwota in men's javelin
 

 

 

 

Mukwano Industries donated water to Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF)
 

 

 

Selected results

100m (men)

T. Kigonya (Luweero) 10.71

Women

S. Ayikoru (Police) 12.19

10000m (women)

A.Nyakisi (Prisons) 33:36.90

400m (women)

A.Aneno (Fame) 56.28

1500m (men)

F.Chemonges (UPDF) 3:45.91

Women

J. Achola (prisons) 4:15.88

5000m (men)

J. Cheptegei 13:28.50

Javelin(women)

L. Aber (Police) 50.78

Men

P. Kibwota (Police) 62.32