Walkers Samuel Gathimba and Emily Ngii won their respective 20km races to ensure Kenya topped the medal standings as the 22nd Africa Senior Athletics Championships ended in Reduit, Mauritius yesterday. 

World Indoor 1,500m bronze medallist Abel Kipsang and Jarinter Mawia also won the men’s 1,500m and women’s 800m titles to take Kenya’s medal tally to nine gold medals top of the standings. 

Kenya topped the table standings for the fifth time with 21 medals – nine gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.   

It was a slight decline in the gold medals from the 2018 Asaba games where they managed a total of 19 medals; 11 gold, six silver and two bronze. 

Statistically, the 1982 Games in Cairo remain Kenya’s best-ever outing where they collected 34 medals; 12 gold, 20 silver and 12 bronze.    

The 2020 event was postponed and later cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Previous edition

In the walk race, it was a third continental title in a row for Gathimba, in the women’s race, Ngii reclaimed the crown Kenya had relinquished in the previous edition. 

Ngii edged out Beletew Mitiku from Ethiopia to second place as compatriot Sylvia Kemboi settled for bronze. 

“It’s such a good feeling even though the course was challenging with the rains making it tougher,” said Ngii. 

Ngii and Gathimba will now shift focus to the national trials due on June 24 to 25 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.  

“It was a hard-fought victory that was made worse by the early morning rains. Also, the course was not favourable at all but I have to be thankful for the victory,” said Gathimba. 

The multiple Kenyan champion who clocked 1:22.01 said he was dejected to have missed the World Athletics Championships qualifying standard of 1:21.00. 

“It leaves me in a difficult position because time is running out on qualifications, but I will keep my head focused and keep working towards that goal,” said Gathimba who had also won the African title in 2016 in Durban, South Africa and in 2018 in Asaba, Nigeria.