By Feverpitch Reporter
The long awaited entry list for the 17th African Athletics Championships was finally released last evening, giving insight into what lies in store for fans expected to throng Nyayo National Stadium for the five-day showdown.
Ghana’s Aziz Zakari (10.19/20.63) comes in as the fastest competitor in the men’s 100m and 200m this year. Nigeria’s Egwero Ogho-Ogene (10.20), Adukwu Benjamin (10.21) and Obinna Metu (10.25/20.66) as well as Egypt’s national record holder, Amr Ibrahim Mostafa Seoud (10.22) are also in the 100m frame.
Anderson Mureta, Kenya’s best hope in the short distances, is ranked quickest in Africa this year over 400m (45.22) and third fastest in 200m (20.73).
Zambia’s record holder Gerard Phiri (10.13/20.57) who tops the African charts over 100m and 200m this season, was not entered for Nairobi by his nation, as well as defending 100m and 200m champions, Olusoji Fasuba (Nigeria) and Thuso Mpuang (South Africa).
Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, the runner ranked ninth in the world (11.03) this year headlines the women’s 100m alongside defending champion and teammate, Damola Osayomi (23rd, 11.23).
Defending champion, Botswana’s Amantle Montsho, who is the fourth quickest in the world in the women’s 400m (50.07), is the top draw in her race with Nigeria’s Abugan Shade and Zambia’s Rachel Nachula (Zambia) whom she beat to silver and bronze in Addis returning for another crack at the gold medallist.
Home runners, Africa record holder and titleholder, David Rudisha (1:41.51) and Olympics and world silver medallist, Janeth Jepkosgei (1:57.84, SB) lead the men and women 800m line-ups.
World champion, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (South Africa) and World Indoor champion Abubakar Kaki of Sudan, are the main challengers in the men’s 800m, that also features world silver medallist, Alfred Kirwa.
Morocco’s Halima Hachlaf (1:58.40, SB), Algeria’s Zahra Bouras (1:59.54, SB) and evergreen Olympics bronze medallist, Hasna Behhassi also from Morocco are key challengers to Jepkosgei. Olympics champion, Asbel Kiprop (3:32.22, SB), has his hands full in the men’s 1,500m. Compatriots Silas Kiplagat (world leader, 3:29.27) and Nicholas Kemboi (6th, 3:31.52) pose the home threat.
Morocco’s Amine Laalou, rated second this season (3:29.53), Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi (3:32.94) and Ethiopia’s Mekonnen Gebremedhin (3:33.35) could topple the Kenyan cart.
The women’s 1500m pits Olympics champion, Nancy Jebet Lagat (4:00.13, SB) against defending champion, Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka (3:59.28, SB) and Morocco’s national record holder Btissam Lakhoud (3:59.35).
