Kenya bags two medals on day one of World Relays Championships

Kenya bagged two medals in a day of mixed results as the fifth edition of World Relays Championships kicked off on Saturday in Silesia, Poland.

It was the pair of world 800m bronze medallist Ferguson Rotich and youngster Naomi Korir who opened Kenya’s medal account at the global event when they clinched silver in 2x2x400m.

The duo clocked 3:41.79 to finish second behind hosts Poland who clocked 3:40.92 to win gold as Slovenia sealed the podium in 3:41.95

Kenya then settled for bronze in the mixed shuttle hurdles relay after placing third, behind Germany and Poland who bagged gold and silver respectively.

The Kenyan quartet of Priscilla Tabunda, Michael Musyoka, Nusra Rukia and Wiseman Were clocked 59.89.

It was a race Kenya was already assured of a medal since only three countries entered teams in the event.

Kenya was however eliminated at the preliminary stages in the men’s and women’s 4x400m and the mixed 4x400m events.

The women’s 4x400m team consisting of Gladys Musyoki, Veronica Mutua, Sylvia Chesebe and Mary Moraa placed fourth in the second heat won by Cuba.

In the corresponding men’s race, Kenya’s quartet of Stanley Kieti, William Rayian, David Sanayek and Kevin Kiprotich finished fifth in the first heat. Japan won the heat.

The mixed 4x400m team consisting of Jared Momanyi, Joan Cherono, Mary Moraa and Aron Koech were disqualified.

Kenya’s only hopes of bagging more medals in the championships remains in the men’s and women’s 4x200m whose finals are set for Sunday.

Kenya has already improved on her 2019 performance where she bagged only bronze in the mixed 4x400m.