Police Championship; records on the line, Syombua out to extend dominance

The national 400m record holder Hellen Syombua is keen to extend her fine form in sprints when the National Police Service Athletics Championships kick off Thursday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Syombua ran to a new national record of 51.09 seconds at the African Games trials a fortnight ago bringing to an end the previous record of 51.18seconds held by team mate Maximilla Imali.

As the two-day championships kick off Syombua will be competing in both 400m and 200m with her focus now turning to 200m where she’s keen to break the national record as well.

“I had prepared well for that record since last year and I think I can even lower it to 49.00 in the African Games. I am also working hard to break the 200m record and I know everything is possible,” said Syombua.

Being the only Kenyan to have qualified in 400m for this year’s World Championship to be held in Doha, Qatar, Syombua who recently won bronze medal in the 4x400m mixed relay at the World Relay Championships says she can’t wait for the experience to compete at the Worlds.

“Actually, I am very happy that I have qualified for the World championships it is something I have been dreaming of and I promise I will come with a medal,” added Syombua.

Police have been a revelation in sprints with Syombua set to face a formidable competition with the likes of Joan Cherono, Frashia Mwangi and Maximilla Imali are also in contention and Police head coach Isaac Kirwa could not be more happier.

“It is true we are currently doing very well in sprints and more is yet to come. We can’t reveal our secret at the moment because we still want records to fall,” said Kirwa.

Apart from the sprints, the law enforcers have been a force to reckon with in field events with Julius Yego and Damacile Nyakeruri leading the way in javelin while Isaac Kirwa has also been a dominant figure in long jump.

Three-time World Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor will be defending his 10000m title with the World 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech also expected to light up Kasarani.

Apart from the World 1500m champion Elijah Manangoi who is out injured, majority of the household names in the service will be gracing the event including World 800m record holder.

“We expect all our athletes to show up in Kasarani even those who are injured; they will be coming over to give moral support to their colleagues,” concluded Kirwa.