Former national 100m champion Mark Otieno is bubbling with excitement after his first national team inclusion since his two-year doping ban.
Former national 100m champion Mark Otieno could not hide his joy after making it to Team Kenya to the World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas from May 4-5.
Otieno will team up with Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, Hesborn Ochieng, Mike Mokamba, Meshack Babu and Samuel Chege in the 4x100m team in search of victory in the Caribbean nation.
The 30-year-old had claimed victory in his 100m semi-final heat in a time of 10.36, despite the challenging rainy weather conditions.
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“Grateful is an understatement. Made my first National team in 2 years today [Saturday] in the presence of my family. My God is restoring. I bless His name forever,” Otieno posted on social media.
It has been a tough journey back for Otieno since his return to action last August after serving his doping ban and last run at the ASA Grand Prix in Johannesburg last week.
That came after featuring in the indoors in February, clocking 6.67 in Belgrade, after managing 6.78 in Miramax in 60m, which saw him miss the 6.58 cut required to make it to the World Indoor Championships.
Otieno, who still hopes to make it to the Olympics in the 100m, will hope for success in the Bahamas as the World Relays is also another route to Paris given the top 14 teams from each race will seal a ticket to the Games.
That will be a great step for him before he embarks on his desire to run under 10 seconds to qualify for the Olympics in 100m, having clocked 10.05 since his return from the two-year exile.
Athletics Kenya selected a formidable team of 24 athletes to the event with National 400m champion Zablon Ekwam teaming up with National 400m hurdles champion Wiseman Were, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Boniface Mweresa, David Sanayek, Brian Tenega, Moitalel Nandokila, Kelvin Kipkorir, Kennedy Kimeu and Nathaniel Kipngetich in the 4x400m squad.
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Commonwealth 800m champion Mary Moraa will lead the 4x400m relay team that also has Mercy Chebet, Jackline Nanjala, Joan Cherono, Veronica Mutua, Vanice Kerubo, Maureen Thomas and youngster Diana Chebet.
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