Kenya secured two medals on day one of the World Relays Championships that kicked off on Saturday in Silesia, Poland.
The duo of world 800m bronze medallist Ferguson Rotich and youngster Naomi Korir opened Kenya’s medal account at the global event when they clinched silver after taking 2nd place in the 2x2x400m race.
The pair crossed the finish line at the 3:41.79 mark that saw them finish second behind hosts (Poland) who clocked 3:40.92 to win gold. Slovenia sealed the third position after clocking 3:41.95 to secure the bronze medal.
Kenya got the 3rd position in the mixed shuttle hurdles relay - securing a bronze medal , behind Germany and Poland who took away gold and silver medals respectively.The Kenyan quartet of Priscilla Tabunda, Michael Musyoka, Nusra Rukia and Wiseman Were took part in that race and crossed over the line with 59.89 minutes.
In the mixed shuttle hurdles relay race Kenya was already assured of a medal since only three countries had teams in the event.
In the men’s and women’s 4x400m and the mixed 4x400m events Kenya had a bad turn of events as they were eliminated just at the preliminary stages.
The women’s 4x400m Kenyan side composed of Gladys Musyoki, Veronica Mutua, Sylvia Chesebe and Mary Moraa came in fourth place in the second heat which was won by Cuba.
In the men’s race of the similar event, Kenya’s quartet of Stanley Kieti, William Rayian, David Sanayek and Kevin Kiprotich came in fifth place in the first heat which was won by Japan.
Kenya’s only hope of winning more medals in the relay championships in Poland remains in both the men’s and women’s 4x200m relay race whose finals will be conducted today.