Sawe eyes bigger heights after record-breaking KDF show

Defying gravity at the IAAF Diamond League series is Mathew Sawe next priority this season after the Africa champion shuttered the national record thrice at the ongoing Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championships.

For Sawe to realize his dreams his results have to be sent to the IAAF for ranking so that he could compete in Paris and another one before going to defend his title at the CAA Africa Championships at Asaba, Nigeria, on August 1-5.

Sawe who was representing Thika Team broke the 2:25m  two year record with just a centimeter at first before setting it at 2:28m and closing the day with 2:30m.

“Setting a new national record is a morale booster for me. I started off with a disappointment at Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games but right now I feel more confindent in my approach. Coach Moussa Fall changed techniques after the Club Games which has paid off well,” said Sawe.

His coach, Fall could hardly hide his excitement adding that Sawe will go back to Paris, France to train for his title defence as they target to make debut at the Continental Cup set for September 8 and 9 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Asbel Kiprop won silver for Gilgil after clearing a height of 2.12m as Amos Kipsaina of Kahawa Garrison settled bronze with a height 2:00m.

Mary Wanjiru carried the second day of the KDF Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi in the women’s 3,000m. Wanjiru stopped the timer at nine minutes, 23.4 seconds to win gold for her team Lanet Barracks, almost 10 second ahead of Naomi Chepkemoi (9:32.3) of Kahawa Garrison and Elizabeth Mueni (9:36.6) of Moi Air Base who took bronze and gold respectively.

On Friday, the final day of the three championships, Kennedy Njeru (8:34.6) of Lanet Barracks will battle it out for the 3000m steeplechase top honours against Geoffrey Ngeno (8:35.2)  of Gilgil, Moses Kibet (8:45.4) among  others with hopes of booking a ticket to hunt a slot in Team Kenya during the upcoming National Trial for Africa Championships on June 21-23.