2020 Kip Keino Classic: 17 years old sensation from Namibia, Kenyan stars winning

The last stop on the WA 2020 Continental Tour was the Kip Keino Classic, which was held on 3 October in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event was a big success and the athletes and fans enjoyed it.

The short reviews were supplied by EME News.

Kip Keino Classic, Nairobi, Kenya, 3 October 2020, photo by @stuartweir, photos taken on @worldathletics, @euroathletics, #theshoeaddicts, #runblogrun, pic.twitter.com/QK8MislACo

— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) October 3, 2020

17 years old sensation from Namibia, Kenyan stars winning

Namibia’s Beatrice Masilingi dominates the 400m.

50.99 for the win and an African U18 best. It is the fourth fastest time by any woman this year 💫#ContinentalTourGold pic.twitter.com/GO6buTmr3N

— Continental Tour Gold (@ContiTourGold) October 3, 2020

NAIROBI (KEN, Oct 3): First edition of Kip Keino Classic closed the inaugural year of World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series. Despite pandemic restrictions the meet lived up to expectations (6000 spectators reported) and for many home athletes was the first competition after all was stopped in March. Technically many things were tested before World U20 Championships next year with huge state support. Sensation of the day was 17 years old Beatrice Masilingi from Namibia in the women 400 m, Kenyan stars proved their shape and registered wins, Ferguson Rotich, Timothy Cheruiyot, Nicholas Kimeli, Paul Tanui,Hellen Obiri and Beatrice Chepkoech. International hammer and javelin were also something special for Kenyan traditions.

Event by event short reviews

Men

200m – South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, 18, won in 20.44 from Arthur Cisse in 20.53. Tazana Kamanga-Drybek was third in a Danish U20 record of 20.61.
400m – Home win for Kenya’s African Champs relay gold medalist Jared Momanyi in 46.12.
800m – Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich maintained his unbeaten streak with victory in 1:44.78 from Australia’s Joseph Deng (1:45.21) and Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:45.52).
1500m – Despite struggling with a slight hamstring injury, world champion Timothy Cheruiyot won in 3:34.31 from former world U20 champion Kumari Taki in 3:35.00
5000m – Nicholas Kimeli won in a Kenyan all-comers’ record of 13:08.32 from Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi in 13:08.91, fast times taking into account Nairobi altitude. Good also third Jacob Krop 13:11.88.

“I’m enjoying good form and hope to maintain it to the Tokyo Olympics, where I’ll be going for nothing short of victory after finishing 8th at the World Championships in Doha last year. My immediate focus is set a new world 10km record in Valencia on Oct 7.”

-Nicholas Kimeli pic.twitter.com/jWjMjKsHMS

— Kipkeino Classic Continental Tour (@KipKeinoClassic) October 3, 2020

10,000m – Multiple global medallist Paul Tanui won this national race in fast finish over last two laps 28:06.90.
3000m steeplechase – Abraham Kibiwott just held off Leonard Bett, 8:17.60 to 8:17.63. World and Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto did not race due to an ankle injury.
High jump – Matthew Sawe cleared 2.20m in national high jump.
Hammer – Italian veteran Marco Lingua was the only thrower to surpass the 70 metre-line with 70.20m.
Javelin – 78 m thrower Alex Toroitich Kiprotich with 76.71 beat some solid Europeans and replaced well Julius Yego.

Women

200m – Brit Kristal Awuah won in a lifetime best of 23.05 from Egypt’s record holder Bassant Hemida in 23.13, big PB for third Rodah Njobvu from Zambia 23.18.
400m – 17-year-old Beatrice Masilingi from Namibia set a huge PB of 50.99 to break the African U18 best and move to fifth on the world all-time U18 list. She also becomes just the fourth woman to break the 51 second-barrier in 2020.
800m – Bahrain’s Nelly Jepkosgei ran out to a comfortable winner in 2:02.07 from Kenyans Eunice Sum (2:03.73) and Eglay Nalyanya (2:04.98). World fourth placer Winnie Nanyondo also here fourth 2:05.74.
1500m – Ethiopia’s Lemlem Hailu won in 4:06.42 from Kenyans Winny Chebet (4:06.78) and Mercy Cherono (4:06.79).
5000m – World champion Hellen Obiri held off Agnes Tirop for victory, 15:06.36 to 15:06.71.

📽️🇰🇪

😯 Hellen Obiri hints at a 5000m/ 10,000m double at @Tokyo2020 after winning at The @ContiTourGold #KipKeinoClassic on Saturday.

🤔 Kenyans! 🔄 if you would ❤️ to see Obiri double in Tokyo! 👀🏃🏾‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/cHAyDU0OHF

— ASCN (@ascnhq) October 4, 2020

3000m steeplechase – World champion Beatrice Chepkoech won in a gun-to-tape 9:29.05 from former world champion Hyvin Kiyeng in 9:34.07.
Hammer – Venezuela’s Rosa Rodriguez won with a best throw of 69.55 over Belgian record holder Vanessa Sterckendries 68.39.