Youth Olympics: Nyatichi and Mbithe make Youth Olympics finals in China

Mary Joy Mudyiravanji of Zimbabwe competes barefooted during Women's 1500 Qualification match at Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Aug. 22, 2014.(Xinhua/Liao Yujie)(hhx)

Maureen Nyatichi Thomas will contest the 200m girls’ final at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games tomorrow after winning her heat in 24.33 seconds to beat much-fancied American Brandee Johnson.

Thomas, who won silver at the Africa Youth Games in Botswana in May, is buoyed by her time which was the third fastest in the heats going into the final tomorrow morning.

“I feared the American in my heat and chose to go for it so I could qualify. I’m glad my body responded well and the heat did not affect me. I’m optimistic ahead of the final and glad that it will be held in the morning,” said Nyatichi.

In the girls’ 1,500m, it was all about Kenyan Winfred Mbithe and Ethiopian Kokeb Tesfaye. They dueled throughout the race with the Ethiopian taking the lead at the bell.

She won the heat with Mbithe in second and it will be interesting to see if the final on Monday night will follow the same script. “I was saving my best for Monday’s final and I feel confident that I will be in contention for gold,’ said Mbithe.

Geoffrey Kipngetich was fifth in his heat to miss out on qualification for the final. Anthony Kiptoo failed to make the A final after he finished fifth in his heat unable to shake off an injury he picked up in Botswana in May.

The finals start today with Ian Mutuku the first Kenyan on track in the boys’ 400m at 10.06am local time, (6.06am Kenyan time). Agnes Mulee will be the only Kenyan in action tomorrow night in the B final of the girls’ 800m.