Kenya names athletics squad for Commonwealth Youth Games in India
12/9/2008 17:32
World junior and world youth 3,000 metres champion Mercy Cherono will lead
a star studded Kenyan team in next month's Commonwealth Youth Games in
India.
Cherono is among 12 athletes selected by Athletics Kenya (AK) to
represent the country at the third edition of the games which are scheduled for
October 12-18 in the Indian city of Pune.
The 17 year old is undoubtedly the
most experienced athlete in the team having won the world youth crown in Ostrava
in a personal best time of 8:53.94 in 2007 and followed it up with another win
at this year's World Junior Championships in Poland.
In all, the team
consists of four athletes who did duty for the country at the World Junior
championships in Poland in July where Kenya finished third with four gold, five
silvers and two bronze.
World junior 3,000 metres steeplechase champion
Jonathan Muia who triumphed in Poland will competein the 1500 metres
race.
Stacy Ndiwa who finished last in the final in the women's 1500 metres
in Bydgoszcz after being boxed and jostled in the final lap will compete in her
specialty.
Ndiwa is the younger sister to Mangata Ndiwa who won the Junior
World Cross Country title in 2006. Grace Kimanzi who reached the semifinals in
Poland will also be looking for improved fortunes in the two lap race. Poland
was her first outing and the experience will have done her a world of
good.
Xinhua
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