体坛英语新闻：Kenyan Olympic champion hopes good result in London

NAIROBI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo picked off from where she left by sealing victory in the women's 400m in the signature performance of the 6th AK/NBK National Track and Field meeting that concluded in Mumias on Saturday.

Following her victory in the heats on Friday in 54.5, Jelimo who competed under the Kenya Police banner improved to 53.6 to edge out Ugandan Agnes Aneno (55.7) in the battle for top honour in the lap-race.

The world indoor titleholder was not done yet as she teamed with the Ugandan to lead the Maximum Speed Development 4X400m relay squad to victory in 3:41.6 to thrill the crowd that turned up to witness the action.

"This is my last event before I compete in the Samsung Diamond League in Doha and I'm satisfied with my form. I look forward to have a good season that will hopefully end with a successful defense of my Olympic title in London," Jelimo stated after tearing around the well laid Mumias Sports Complex stadium track for victory.

She will return to more familiar surroundings on May 15 when she opens her Diamond League campaign in the Middle East hoping her three season nightmare in the outdoor circuit since she ruled the world in 2008 will come to an end after bagging the closed circuit world title on her debut in Istanbul.

World cross junior women champion, Faith Chepng'etich starred in the women's two-lap race stopping the clock in 2:03.9 ahead of Jepleting Busienei also from Lanet and Sylvia Chesebe of Prisons who took silver and bronze in 2:06.6 and 2:08.1.

"I'm looking forward to earn a place in the World Juniors in Barcelona and this is a good start to my track season. I will also try the 1,500m for the London Olympics during the Trials," Chepng'etich, who added the Africa junior cross title in South Africa in March expressed.

Michael Too won the corresponding men's 800m in 1:49.0 in a determined dash for the finish against Edwin Kemboi who took silver in 1:49.2 and Gideon Kipng'etich (1:49.3) in third.

World youth 2,000m steeplechase title holder, Conseslus Kipruto reigned supreme in the 3,000m men's steeplechase in 8:26.0 as he also set his sights to the Barcelona World Juniors in July.

Kipruto, 17, one of the stars of Lille last season beat the more experienced duo of Jairus Kipchoge (8:26.4) who arrived home as the bridesmaid and Abel Mutai (8:31.4) in third.

After winning his 400m men's heat on Friday in 45.8, world record holder, David Rudisha opted out of the final much to the disappointment of the fans as he left to continue shaping up for Doha and the New York legs of the Samsung Diamond League.

In his absence and that of his designated rabbit Samuel Tangui who trailed him across the line in 46.1, Collins Omae took top honours in the final in a slow 47.4 with Moses Ngetich (47.8) and Alfred Kipketer (48.0) completing the podium.

Another top star who declined to compete in the final is the Olympic 1500m titleholder and world champion, Asbel Kiprop who returned after a nasty fall in the fourth meeting in Kericho two weeks ago to win a heat in his specialty with 3:35.04.

Vincent Kibet duly won the Metric Mile in 3:41.2 ahead of Elkana Yego who crossed the line in second with 3:41.5 on the clock as Alex Kibet came home for the bronze in 3:41.9.

Lydia Wafula was the clear winner in the women's race in 4:17.08 after detaching from the challengers at the bell where Farida Chelang'a returned 4:18.03 for second ahead of third placed Janet Ochola (4:18.07).

African women 400m hurdles silver winner, Maureen Chelagat was peerless in her event scooping victory in 64.0 well clear or runner-up Ndunge Mdibo (65.3) from Machakos and Agnes Mueni (69.1) in third.

Athletics Kenya (AK) relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, said 1500 runners attended the two day meet in the Western Kenya town.

"Unfortunately, we did not see most of our top stars compete in the finals of their events but it is among the best we have witnessed so far," he added.