Sprint prodigy Brian Okoth plans to break Ferdinand Omanyala’s Africa 100m record.
Okoth, a Form Three student at Riooga Secondary School in Nyamira county, said Omanyala is his idol and he would one day want to run against him.
“I look up to him. He is not just an inspiration to me but to many upcoming sprinters,” said Okoth after retaining the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association 100m title.
He clocked 10.7 to win the race ahead of compatriot and East Africa champion Daniel Wasike (10.9) and Instin Simiyu 11.2.
Okoth also led the team of Daniel Wasike, Keith Raymond and Maxwell Chingili to the 4x400m relay title at Shanzu Teachers’ Training College.
He hopes to represent Kenya at the Africa Under 18 championships in Algeria in July and next year’s Youth Olympics in Senegal. “I hope to meet the qualifying times,” he said.
“I will work extra hard after Mombasa to qualify for Algeria.” Wasike, however, warned Okoth of a showdown in the regional showpiece.
“He is my friend and training mate. However, I want to retain my title at the East Africa championships,” said Wasike.
Wasike atoned for his loss in the 100 to win the 200m. He clocked 22.3, beating Maxwell Chingili ( 22.5) and Luis Makhakha (22.9). Athletics Kenya Youth Training camps dominated the three-day athletics programme.
“These camps have had a huge impact in the development of athletics,” said Riooga coach and principal Haron Onchong’a.
“Most athletes who excelled
at the nationals are from the youth
camps. We want to thank Athletics
Kenya and the Ministry of Sports for
maintaining the camps.”
