Were, Kandie impress at national championships

Wiseman Were of Kenya Defence Forces attained the qualifying standards for the World Championships in the men's 400m hurdles after clocking 48.52 seconds at the national athletics championships in Nyayo Stadium.

An impressed Were could not hide his delight after dipping under 48.70 seconds required for this year's World Championships in Budapest.

Were was fresh from victory in the men's 110m hurdles where he clocked 14.03 seconds.

"I didn't know how it (time) came but I am actually very happy to emerge victorious today. This is my 14th time trying to make it to a global championship and I am glad I have made it at last,"said an elated Were.

Rukia Nusra of KDF clocked 13.87 seconds to win the women's 100m hurdles ahead of Gladys Ngure of Prisons who finished second in 14.79 while Veronica Chebet closed the podium in 14.84

Elsewhere, former World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie of KDF reigned supreme in the men's 10,000m after clocking 27:52.69 ahead of Shadrack Rono of coast and Stanley Njihia of Eastern who finished second and third respectively.

After missing out on a slot in last year's World Championships in Oregon, Kibiwott said he is fired up for this year's event having already secured entry standards.

"I am happy to be the winner today this was part of my preparations for the trials that will be held in the next two weeks. I was ready for today's battle since it is a national championships everybody comes here ready," said Kandie.

In the women's category, Irene Kimais of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) clocked 31:56.37 to be crowned the winner in the women's 10,000m at the second day of national athletics championships in Nyayo Stadium.

Catherine Releen of North Rift finished second in 31:57.79 with reigning Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya Prisons finishing third in 32:09.87

"I came here to test my body ahead of the trials that will be held in two weeks time. My dream is to qualify for the World Championships in Budapest. I know it will be tough but I will try my best," said Kimais.

Emily Ngii of KDF won the women's title in 20km race walk after timing one hour, 40 minutes and 51 seconds ahead Sylvia Kemboi of Central Rift who finished second in 1:41.17 while Margaret Ghati also of Central Rift settled for third in 1:49.03

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala of Police clocked 10.06 seconds to clinch victory in the semis (heats).

Olympic silver medallists Timothy Cheruiyot and Ferguson Rotich as well as Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal have sailed through to the finals in the men's 800m.

The three-day event ends Saturday.