RESPECTABILITY !
Last year we staged a 4 x 200m. Relay for the first time. The Girls set a reasonable National Record at 2-06.4. However the Boys set a soft time of 1-48.7. The improvement in the sprinters (and a selection of stronger teams !) meant that we could challenge the Boys to run a time between 1-36 (each averaging 24) and 1-40 (each averaging 25). In the event, the stronger two teams split their resources and both ran 1-38 ! Thus at 1-38.5 we now have a more respectable standard. With the runners-up running 1-38.6 it is clear (as we knew) that if the BEST FOUR run together, they will threaten or break 1-36. Another step forward !
ALSO ON DAY 2.
Well, we had no clashes, started before 9.00 am, had a comfortable programme, and finished exactly at 1.00 pm. A total of 88 athletes registered, slightly more boys than girls. To make a generalisation, the track results were generally sluggish on the "new" surface. Also the sprinters were running into rather than with the wind. By contrast the Field events, at best, were quite good. The winning MDiscus throw of Tiim last night (37.43m.) was supported by his winning MShot effort of 12.65m. to complete a throws double.
Buraieta, disappointing in High Jump (3rd.) and Long Jump (3rd.), found more form today and won the MTriple Jump (13.21m.) and placed second in the MJavelin with a PB of 41.05m. The record-holders were not far behind their best in both Javelin events, Rabangaki winning the Mens' (51.41m.) and Kimaia the Womens' (30.71m.) Banrenga has been training and, having taken the W3000m. title last night (13-20.8), added the W1500m. (6-17.1) and the W800m. (3-05.9) to her prize bag !
Kaitinano, with eyes on the Heptathlon in Samoa later, tried track and field events. Last night she won the WLong Jump (4.16m.) - running through the football match ! - and placed 3rd. in the WDiscus (19.56m.) Today she took the W100m. (14.2), W200m. (31.2), W400m. (1-13.4), WTriple Jump (9.26m.), 3rd. in the WHigh Jump (1.25m.), 3rd. in the WJavelin (17.36m.), and 6th. in the WShot (7.80m.) Then she anchored her Relay team to victory (2-09.0) Apart from the Hurdles, this covers most of her potential events. Her weaknesses in throws will need attention, but she will be competitive !
Someone we already knew about is David Birati. He took a psychological step forward in the MHigh Jump, beating both internationals Buraieta and Beteru. He cleared 1.75m. but failed at 1.80m. His problem is the need to change his timing as the bar goes higher. He has both speed and take-off power to do 1.85m. this year. Ioritana Bureieta is another potential KAA team member. Having placed 2nd. in the MLong Jump (5.80m.) yesterday, he finished 6th. in the MHigh Jump (1.60m.) and 3rd. in the MTriple Jump (11.85m.) today.
The times in the 400m. Hurdles were disappointing, but they were won by the NR-holders. Kimaia (without much training) won the W400H in 1-22.8, then Beteru won the higher version in 1-04.3. But at least we had enough runners for each event !
Again we managed to find enough help to keep the programme moving steadily and entertain the spectators ! Thanks to all the athletes (and the parents who found their bus fares and entry fees). Also to all the volunteer officials who did a great job - somewhat assisted into the comfort zone by having three tents, strategically placed !
MORE DETAILED SUMMARY LATER !
Last Modified on 22/05/2007 23:48