Athletics

Former 100m national record holder Mark Otieno believes a deliberate weight loss of seven kilograms could be the missing piece in his quest for a podium finish at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.The global event is slated for Thursday, 23 July to Sunday, 2 August.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe sprinter has set his sights on a packed 2026 campaign, targeting qualification for key events including the World Relays, the African Athletics Championships, and ultimately the Commonwealth Games.A three-time national 100m record holder, Otieno has intensified his preparations, fine-tuning his speed, endurance, and race tactics as he eyes competition in both the 100m and 200m this season.Tebogo slams USA’s decision to snub World Relays rematch in GaboroneThe 200m specialist, who boasts a personal best of 20.41 seconds, is optimistic about lowering that mark, though he remains cautious about setting a specific timeline.His immediate focus shifts to the World Relays ..

Kenyan middle-distance runner Festus Lagat has turned his attention to the upcoming Commonwealth Games after missing out on a place in the final of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsThe 29-year-old now plans to sharpen his form through the Diamond League meetings before heading to Glasgow, Scotland, for the July showpiece.“My focus is now on the Commonwealth Games. I will run some Diamond League races before, and that will be it,” said Lagat.##NAJAVA_MECA_9616162##The Iowa State University student finished seventh in Heat Three of the men’s 1500m on Friday, clocking 3:40.26, a result that saw him miss out on the three automatic qualification slots for the final.It was another disappointing outing for Lagat at the global indoor stage, having also fallen short on his debut at the 2024 edition in Nanjing, where he finished third in Heat Four and failed to progress.“I didn’t go through to the final because I didn’t f..

Three years ago, Luvo Manyonga knew he must change his life or perish. In Poland on Sunday, 22 March, the former world champion makes an extraordinary return to athletics’ top table.Sprawled prone in the dirt, the cold metal of a baseball bat cracking against his skull, spine and down to the legs, that had once propelled him to glory, Manyonga experienced an epiphany. This existence could not continue; he must change his life or die.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsManyonga had been a drug addict for as long as he could remember, seeking recreational highs that provided the opposite of the performance-enhancing shortcuts that some of his deceitful athletics rivals might have pursued.At times, he just about kept his habit in check. Never for long periods-not even when at his sporting peak. But enough for him to win South Africa’s first world long jump title in London in 2017, a year after he had claimed Olympic silver in Rio.Road to chaos: Guinea demands 1976 AFCON tittle on bas..

Team Kenya continued its quest for medals at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland with three athletes advancing to the finals of their respective events on Friday, 20 March night.After a morning session of mixed results, the evening period started on a good note for the lean Kenyan squad as Susan Ejore stepped on the track, competing in heat two of the women’s 1500m.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe American-based runner clocked 4:11.41 for third place, securing her spot in Sunday’s, 22 March, final.Ejore trailed Ethiopian Birke Haylom in the opening laps of the highly contested race, at one point coming to her shoulder, but could not hold on to her pace and she was overtaken on the line by home runner Klaudia Kazimierska who came second in 4:11.33 as the Ethiopian won the heat in 4:10.66.“It was a packed race with some very good girls, but I went in there and executed my plan,” Ejore said, adding that she was looking forward to making it t..

The 2026 Kipkeino Classic is set to break new ground after organizers confirmed that this year’s edition will, for the first time, be staged under floodlights. The meet is scheduled for Friday, April 24 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe announcement, made on the event’s official social media platforms, has already sparked excitement among athletics fans.“Night vibes, world-class speed. Kipkeino Classic under the lights will be next level,” the statement read.Unlike previous editions, the 2026 event will run from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, culminating in an electric night atmosphere expected to elevate both performance and fan engagement. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9612966##Night competitions are often associated with cooler temperatures and faster times, raising expectations for thrilling races on Kenyan soil.The return to Nyayo Stadium also marks a homecoming of sorts for the event. The 18,000-seater venue hosted the inaugural Kipkeino Classic in 2020 before the mee..

Kenya enjoyed a bright start to the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland after seeing three of its athletes qualify to the semifinals of their respective events on Friday, 20 March.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsAll running in the morning session of the championships’ opening day, the trio of Noah Kibet, Mercy Adongo and Brian Tinega made sure Kenya remained in the hunt for an elusive medal, by breezing through their heats with relative ease.##NAJAVA_MECA_9612928##400m national champion Adongo was the first Kenyan to book her slot in the semifinals when she came second in Heat Six of the women’s 400m, timing a hugely impressive 51.57, which fell just four hundredths of a second behind her personal best time of 51.53 she set in February at the Meeting Metz Moselle in France.The 23-year-old will now seek to go a step further at the championships when she lines up in Heat One of the semifinals scheduled for Friday night (9:42 PM).Our one and only C..

Former Kenya Sevens stalwart Humphrey Kayange has secured one of the most prestigious roles in global sport after being elected Second Vice-Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsKayange was voted into the position during the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) meeting in Milan, Italy, joining a new leadership team that will guide the commission through to the Los Angles 2028 Olympic Games.Spain’s Pau Gasol was elected Chair, Poland’s Maja Włoszczowska retained her role as First Vice-Chair, while Canada’s Oluseyi Smith will occupy the newly created Third Vice-Chair position.Harambee Stars winger pens new deal at Real Sociedad after historic La Liga breakthroughThe new team takes over from outgoing Chair Emma Terho, who made history as the longest-serving female Chair of the Commission.For Kayange, the elevation marks another significant milestone in his steady rise within the Olympic Movement. The former Kenya rugby se..

Gladys Kwamboka, the 2024 Africa and national 10,000m champion, stamped her authority with a commanding long-distance double, winning both the 10,000m and 5,000m titles in dominant fashion at the Mombasa Athletic Meet held on Saturday, 21 February in Shanzu.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe 29-year-old first secured victory in the women’s 10,000m, clocking 33:39.5 in a tactical race, with a strong kick in the final stretch to finish ahead of Brenda Jepchumba Kenei (33:34.0) and Kadogo Jematian (33:44.16).Eliud Kipchoge’s coach explains why cross country is crucial for athletesShe later returned to the track to claim the women’s 5,000m crown in 16:07.2, narrowly edging Celestine Biwott by just 0.4 seconds in one of the closest finishes of the day, with Jematian (16:10.5) sealing the podium.Speaking after her triumph, Kwamboka said: “I have been working so that I could come and take part, but I did not get the chance before in the season because I have been engaged at work. ##..

This year’s Haspa Marathon Hamburg will feature a strong international men’s field headlined by two-time champion Bernard Koech when the event is staged for the 40th time on 26 April.Koech returns, since his victory in 2024, as the favorite on paper, but the Kenyan will not be the only one who comes back with great memories.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsHe is joined on the field by Stephen Kissa, who ran a national record on the same field, and the Ugandan will be among the strong favourites as will be Germany’s former national record holder Samuel Fitwi, who could produce a strong performance and cause a surprise.“We are looking forward to another thrilling race. Hopefully, we will get very fast times again and are able to continue our recent success story of recording the best results of all German top marathon races, as was the case in 2025, a reflection of the strong development of the event in the past couple of years,” said chief organizer Frank Thaleiser.Story of Mara..

Organisers of the New York City Marathon recently visited Kenya in a tour designed to honour past champions and strengthen ties with the country that has shaped the race’s history.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe delegation paid a courtesy call to former winners, among them Ibrahim Hussein, who made history as the first Kenyan to win the New York City Marathon.His breakthrough victory marked the beginning of Kenya’s dominance in one of the world’s most prestigious road races and inspired generations of runners who would follow in his footsteps.Fast-rising Gout Gout sets another 100m record in AustraliaKenyan athletes have played a dominant role in the New York City Marathon, particularly over the past two decades.Champions such as: Geoffrey Mutai, Wilson Kipsang, Stanley Biwott, Geoffrey Kamworor, Albert Korir, Evans Chebet, and Benson Kipruto have carried the men’s title back home in recent years.On the women’s side, Tegla Loroupe broke barriers in 1994 as the first Africa..