Kenya Prison’s Lillian Odira shook off stiff competition to qualify for the Olympic games for the first time in the 800m final at day 1 of the Athletics Kenya Olympic trials at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.
Odira won the race inside the qualification time of 1:59.27, followed by World Champion Mary Moraa in 1:59.35, while her sister Sarah finished 3rd in 1.59.39.
3,000-meter world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech finished 2nd in Friday’s final with a time of 9:22.76, behind Faith Cherotich, who won in 9:22.28.
Commonwealth Champion Jack Line Chepkoech finished 3rd, but outside the qualification time.
It was a similar tale in the 1500-meter men’s final, as Raynold Kipkorir outsprinted former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot to win in 3:35.63.
Although finishing out of the qualification time, Kipkorir will make it to the Paris Olympic Games having attained the time earlier.
Daniel Munguti came home 2nd, posting 3:35.80, ahead of 3rd-placed Cheruiyot, who finished in 3 minutes, 35.90 seconds.
Earlier, defending Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon bagged the 5000m ticket for the first time, clocking 14:46.20, ahead of Beatrice Chebet and Margaret Chelimo in the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.
The two-day trials will culminate tomorrow with the naming of team Kenya for the 31st Olympic Games set for Paris between July 26 and August 11 this year.
