Kenyans brave stormy waves to rule World triathlon meet

Kenya's Bagha and Rwanda's Prince during the World Triathlon Africa cup at Bofa beach Kilifi. [Ernest Ndunda, Standard]

Kenya's top cream triathletes braved strong Indian Ocean waves and scorching heat to produce a dominant performance that saw them crowned overall winners of the 2024 World Triathlon Africa development championship in Kilifi.

The two-day event, which ended on Sunday evening at the Bofa beach in Kilifi, saw Kenya win both the men and women's elite categories.

A strong team from Algeria did not disappoint in the 2x2 mixed relays where they emerged victorious.

In the elite men's category, Kenya took the top three positions, with Rwanda and Algeria settling for the fourth and fifth slots respectively.

Kenya's John Paul Stroop Makona was in good shape right from the gun after he swam like a dolphin in the 750 swim race to win in a time of 12.02.

In the 19.5km cycling race, Stroop clocked 36.08 before he wrapped up his win in the 5km run with a time of 19.25 for an accumulative time of 1:08.17.

Trevor Mwamisi had a time of 1:09.42 for the second position after clocking 12.09, 35.19 and 20.52 minutes in swimming, cycling and running respectively.

Another Kenyan Mohammed Bagha completed the top three positions with a time of 1:10.17 after registering 12.10,35.59 and 21.32 in swimming, cycling and running.

Rwanda's Prince Byimana was the best placed foreign triathlete after finished fourth with an accumulative time of 1:11.48 after he clocked 12.11, 39.07 and 19.25 in swimming, cycling and running.

Algeria's Mohammed Ouddah timed 1:13.14, with another Kenyan Joseph Okal sealing the top six position in a time of 1:15.54.

In the elite women's category, Kenya's Aisha Bayesh won in a time of 1:19.03 after clocking 15.40, 40.39 and 22.04 in 750m swimming, 19.85km cycling and 5km run.

Kenya's Megan Irungu timed 1:19.35, with Algeria's Acjouak Terki clocking 1:21.16 for the third slot.

However in the 2x2 mixed relays, Algerian team emerged victorious with a time of 47.33 as Kenya settled for the second position with a time of 47.40.

Mozambique and Tanzania had 58.41 and 1:02.29 timings for the third and fourth positions respectively.

Kenya's celebrated junior triathlete Jossette Njeri ended up dropping in the third lap of cycling.

Kenya Triathlon Federation President Joyceline Nyambura said the championship unearthed new talents.

"This was one of the best Kenyan triathlon events that was well attended," said Nyambura.

Federation secretary Salonik Koyiet said the event offered valuable ranking points with the winners earning 125 points.