Ayeko takes bronze at Africa Cross Country Champs in Algeria

RESULTS 

Senior Men 10km:

?Alfred Barkach ?? KEN 30:47

?Julius Kogo ?? KEN 30:47

?Thomas Ayeko ?? UGA 30:47

4 Enyew Mekonnen ?? ETH 31:01

5 Emmanuel Bor ?? KEN 31:14

6 Philip Kipyeko ?? UGA 31:19

TEAM RESULTS

Men – Uganda silver

U-20 Women – Uganda bronze

Senior Women – Uganda bronze

Chlef, Algeria | THE INDEPENDENT |  Uganda champion Thomas Ayeko won bronze as red hot Kenyan youngster Alfred Barkach emerged new African Cross-country champion in Algeria on Saturday.

Ayeko stretched the leaders all the way in the 10km race to the final 50 meters, where Barkach’s spint edged out the Ugandan. Barkach was timed at 30:47, Julius Kogo also of Kenya 30:47, while  Ayeko clocked 30:47.

The third place finish spurred team Uganda to silver in the men’s team event. The other Ugandans in the top 10 on Saturday included Philip Kipyeko, silver medalist the last time round, who came in at 31:19 and Mande Bushendich who came 10th. Top finishes by Nelson Wakana 12th and Sam Cherop 22nd, secured the silver for the men’s team.

Led by Stella Chesang who was 5th,  the senior women won bronze. Mercyline Chelangat was 7th, Janat Chemusto 13th and Linet Chebet 14th, the senior women team came third overall as did the Under-20 women as Uganda showed they are a force to reckon with again in the cross country events.

Kenya wins all golds

The winner of the individual men’s race Barkach, just 20, came second in the Kenya cross country championships earlier this year but the winner Geoffrey Kamworor opted out.  Kamworor opted out of the the Africa Cross-country Championships as it comes a week to the World Half Marathon due for Valencia, Spain on March 24.

Kenya has won all individual and teams titles in the last four editions save for 2012 when they lost both individual and junior men’s titles to Ethiopia.

Ayeko earlier this year took over the mantle as National Cross Country Men’s Champion in Jinja after a photo finish with Kipyeko.

Fancied Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo skipped the event as they step up their preparations for the Commonwealth games. The have also recently featured in leading cross country races in Europe.

The team that travelled

Senior Men (10km) –Thomas  Ayeko, Kipyeko, Nelson Wakana, Mande Bushendich and Sam Cherop.

Senior Women (10km) – Mercyline Chelangat, Stella Chesang, Janat Chemusto and Linet Chebet.

U-20 Junior Women (6km) – Sarah Chelangat, Peruth Chemutai, Belinda Chemutai and Risper  Chebet.

U-20 Junior Men (8km) – Victor Kiplangat, Denis Cherotich, Hosea Kiplangat and Mathew Chekwurui.

African cross-country champs- 10km women: 1. Celliphine Chespol KEN 35:10, 2. Margaret Chelimo KEN 35:13, 3. Yeshi Kalayy Chekole ETH 35:26, 4. Stacy Ndiwa KEN 35:27, 5. Stella Chesang UGA 35:30, 6. Sandra Chebet KEN 35:47

Confusion as Chespol directed to finish with 1 lap to go pic.twitter.com/qfoSnwIema

— Carofux (@carofux) March 17, 2018

African cross-country champs – 10km men: 1. Alfred Barkach KEN 30:47, 2. Julius Kogo KEN 30:47, 3. Thomas Ayeko UGA 30:47, 4. Enyew Mekonnen Alem ETH 31:01, 5. Emmanuel Bor KEN 31:14, 6. Philip Kipyeko UGA 31:19

Terrific final sprint between Barkach, Kogo and Ayeko! pic.twitter.com/TejIsWJsQ3

— Carofux (@carofux) March 17, 2018

African cross-country champs – Mixed relay: 1. Ethiopia 23:51 (Taresa Tolosa, Netsanet Desta, Mogos Tuemay, Besu Sado), 2. Kenya 24:15 (Charles Simotwo, Emily Chebet, Bethwel Birgen, Winfred Mbithe), 3. Morocco 25:07, 4. Algeria 25:51 pic.twitter.com/4cjChY5UZX

— Carofux (@carofux) March 17, 2018

Uganda’s team to the 22nd Commonwealth Games

Ayeko and Kipyeko will be part of Uganda’s contingent of 69 athletes at the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast in Australia April 5-15, 2018.

Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and National Council of Sports (NCS) announced the contingent at a joint press conference in Lugogo last week.

The athletes will take part in 11 disciplines including athletics, badminton, boxing, rugby, netball, shooting, cycling, squash, swimming, weightlifting, and table tennis.

NCS chairman  Bosco Onyik said that government had injected Sh 3.1billion to prepare and take the teams to the Games while UOC president  William Blick said that participating federations and associations had also got funds to facilitate their programs for the Games.

Uganda has participated in every Commonwealth Games since 1954 and at the latest, the country collected one gold medal and four bronze medals at the previous Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The team will be led by Uganda Olympic Committee Vice President Technical and Uganda Athletics General secretary Ms Beatrice Ayikoru.

Athletics: Ayikoru Scovia, Leni Shida, Nanziri Emily, Nakaayi Halima, Nannyondo Winnie, Ajok Dorcus, Juliet Chekwel, Chelangat Mercyline, Chesang Stella, Lalam Josephine, Adome Pius, Alli Ngaimoko, Opiny Leonard, Musagala Ronald, Chemutai Albert, Kipyeko Phillip, Cheptegei Joshua, Thomas Ayeko, Toroitich Timothy, Kiplimo Jacob, Chesakit Alex, Chemonges Robert, Mutai Munyo Solomon.

Badminton: Bangi Shamim Bridget, Nakiyemba Aisha, Kasirye Brian, Ekiring Edwin

Boxing: Bwogi Musa, Kiiza Joshua, Muwonge Latibu, Nasir Bashir, Simbwa Regarn

Cycling: Kagimu Charles, Sekanga Vienna

Netball team: Lilian Ajio, Irene Akello, Kizza Betty, Birungi Conchepta, Nanyonga Florence, Nakabuye Hadijah, Nakacwa Halima, Achan Jesca, Nampungu Joan, Procovia Peace, Nanyonga Racheal, Meme Ruth, Nanfuka Stella, Oyella Stella, Namuwaya Muhayimina

Rugby team: Ijongat James, Kasiita Eric, Kasito Adrian, Kermundu Kevin, Kisiga Timonty, Manano Achaji, Odongo Marvin, Ogena Pius, Oketayot Byron, Okia Solomon, Okorach Michael, Wokorach Phillip, Sebuliba Kayiwa, Ruhweza-Ayera Desire, Magowu Ivan, Muwumba Timothy Mudoola, Jadwong Joseph, Ofoyrwoth Aaron

Squash: Rukunya Ivan, Kawooya Michael

Swimming: Meya Avice (women) and Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza Elisha (men)

Weightlifting: Irene Kasubo, Kalidi Batuusa, Julius Ssekitoleko, Ssempereza Hakim

Table Tennis: Nyaika Ronald (men), Nambozo Halima (women)

Shooting: Mungoma Cleopatra