Throngs of spectators from the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem flocked to Kimana Sanctuary at the weekend, bringing energy and excitement to the sixth edition of the “Maasai Olympics,” where tradition met fierce athletic competition.

Dozens of young morans and girls from four villages — Eselengei, Kuku, Mbirikani, and Rombo — participated in various sports events, competing for top prizes, including a bull and cash rewards.

The participants took part in races covering 5,000m, 1,500m, 800m, 200m and 100m, as well as track and field events such as the high jump, javelin and club throw target.

The 200m race was among the most hotly contested events, with finallists running twice. This was as a result of a complaint lodged after the first round of the final, causing a near one-hour delay as the organisers, including track officials from Keino, deliberated on the matter.

Following their decision to rerun the race, Meshack Kutata, who initially finished third, beat his opponents to clinch the win.

Fredrick Solonka and Sematete Keturai claimed second and third positions, respectively.

In the men’s 800m, Stephen Masintet who had taken the lead from the beginning took the win home while David Kapaito and Toret Solomon came in at the second and third position, respectively.

In the 5000m race, which had four guest runners, once again Masintet proved to be a man to watch as he again led the pack in the 12 laps before eventually taking the award home.

From the beginning of the race, Masintet ensured to retain his lead and further managed to maintain his composure, even as the race continued.

“God willingly, in future, I would like to take part in the national competitions and trials since I can see myself competing in such stages. I believe I have the speed and I only need to work on a few things which will make me a worthy competitor,” Masintet said.

The Maasai girls were also not left behind in this year’s competitions as they took part in the 100m and 1500m races.

Girls as young as nine years were seen giving the older girls a difficult time especially in the 1500m that was won by Josephine Sempeyo who was followed closely by Milicent Naikun and Regina Tosian.

Jackline Tianina, Anastacia Lemeyian and Valentina Naisimoi came in first, second and third place in the 100m girls’ race.

In the target competition, Ole Ntinina proved to have sufficiently trained his club throwing skills after he took an early lead from the beginning of the competition to the end while Philip Kilelo and James Kiranto came in as the first and second runners-up respectively.

In the javelin event that was a reminiscence of how the Maasai threw their spears, Joseph Lekatoo, took the win while Lemaron Lulunke’s height propelled him to take the win in the high jump competition.

Coach Hedkin Mutua from Emali talent Centre said the Maasai Olympics have proven a good place to source and spot upcoming talents that they will eventually train and nurture to be great runners.

“Since the beginning of the Olympics, I have been able to spot and later train athletes like Emmanuel Lemama who is currently in Japan, Sebastian Kakaya and many more. I wish more trainers would come to such events to pick out potential talents,” said the coach.

The Maasai Olympics were launched as a way of culturally shifting the young morans from killing lions as a right of passage to protect the wild cats and instead take part in the competitions as the alternative right of passage.a