Chepkorir pleased with Africa Youth Games bronze

Mercy Chepkorir Kirarei said she was contented with a bronze finish after finishing third in the girls’ 3000m at the ongoing Africa Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria.

Chepkorir who was representing Kenya in her first championship outing having missed the World Under-20 Championships, clocked 9:36:91 to settle for the least podium place as Ethiopian Aberash Minsewo Belay won in 9:29:02 while Sarah Chelangat from Uganda took silver in 9:30:60.

“I am so happy to have won bronze for my country. The race was tough I didn’t know I will win any medal but I thank God. It was my first time to represent Kenya and am looking forward to do better.

“This championship made me to board a plane for the first time in my life and I was very excited,” said Chepkorir, a standard seven pupil in Katet Primary School in Londiani, Kericho County.

On Monday, the Kenya hockey team recovered from its woeful start defeated Namibia 3-1 to reach the semi-finals thanks to goals from Bryton Ndwati, Edson Ndombi and Bryan Ogenche.

The team had suffered identical 2-1 losses to Zambia and Nigeria in their openers but their win over Uganda ensured they finished third and effectively secured their place in the last eight.

On Tuesday, Kenya’s Maria Brunlener staged a brilliant performance when she won Kenya her second gold medal after prevailing in the 50m freestyle women’s finals. The German-based swimmer crossed the line in a new Games record of 26.14.

Kenya’s mixed relay team was unlucky to finish off the medal bracket after crossing the line in fourth position.

In girls’ beach volleyball; Juliet Makokha and Gloria Nekesa’s campaign was shaken when they won one match against DR Congo 2-1 before losing to Cameroon (2-0), Sierra Leone (2-0) and Rwanda (2-1).