Leni breaks women's 400m national record

Feb 25, 2018

Leni, a Police Sports Club athlete set a new national record in the 400m.

The 25-year-old is one of Uganda's potential medallists at the Commonwealth Games next month. PHOTO: Richard Sanya

Results

400m: Shida Leni 52.47
800m: Dorcus Ajok 2:02.15
Javeline: Josephine Lalaam 50.04
10,000m: Jacob Kiplimo 27:51.03
The sixth national trial at Mandela

National Stadium saw two records broken in the 400m and 10,000m courtesy of Shida Leni and Jacob Kiplimo respectively.

Leni, a Police Sports Club athlete set a new national record in the 400m.

She ran 52.47 sec, which beat the previous record of 52.48 sec, set by Justine Bayigga on May 26, 2008 in Khartoum, Sudan.

Leni, 25 years old, is one of Uganda's potential medallists at the Commonwealth Games due next month.

Leni's record breaking run has been attributed to a committed training regime under Kevin and Sue O'Connor. The couple took Leni under their wing in 2013 and have since seen her slash more than three seconds off her personal best.

The meticulous record keepers show that sprinter run a time of 55.80 seconds the first time they coached her on August 3 2013 but, she has now run 52.47 seconds which shows a vast improvement.

"It's not a sudden thing. We have worked with her for four and a half years," Kevin O'Connor said.

"The other very important factor has been weight training. She does it two to three times a week at Silver Springs Hotel Gym and that has helped her improve her strength," he added.

Teenager Kiplimo also showed his chops after he nailed Thomas Ayeko's 27:57.03 stadium record in the 10,000m to send a message of intent for the season ahead.

Kiplimo run a time of 27: 51.03.

With the Commonwealth Games looming, athletes are struggling to qualify.

In the 800m, Dorcus Ajok and Halima Nakaayi missed the qualifying mark. Ajok won the race, but missed the qualifying mark by a micro second. Ajok and Co have this Saturday to finish the job if they want to be in Australia.

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