Red-hot Kenyan hurdler Rukia Nusra can do no wrong on the track

Kenyan hurdler Rukia Nusra is enjoying the season of her life in the United States after breaking yet another national record in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Rukia did it on the second consecutive day of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Regional Championships, on Saturday night, at the UK Track & Field Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.

Just a day after becoming the first Kenyan woman to run under 13 seconds with a national record time of 12.96 seconds, Rukia, a University of Kentucky student, returned to the track with an even more impressive 12.88 seconds in the final, to lower her own mark for the umpteenth time.

Her run earned her a second-place finish and secured her place at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships scheduled for June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Rukia is ranked sixth in the East Region.

Rukia, who is studying public health, has been on a record-breaking spree this season, constantly rewriting the Kenyan record books in the sprint hurdles.

“Yes, I did it again. I’m so happy to have lowered my national record once again and qualified for the nationals. Being my first time at the national level, I must tread carefully because it shall be very competitive but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Rukia on phone from Kentucky.

Rukia first broke the national women’s 100m hurdles record on June 23, 2023, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi with a time of 13.87. The previous record of 13.99 set by Priscilla Tabunda had stood since April 2022.

Away from Nusra’s heroics, Kenyan student-athletes enjoyed a successful outing at the NCAA Regional Championships, with more than 50 booking tickets to the national championships in Eugene, highlighting the growing influence of Kenyan athletes in the American collegiate system.

Dennis Kipngetich, a student at Oklahoma State University who is pursuing sports science, is aiming for the podium in men’s 5,000m after finishing fourth last year

“It’s another year and I have had a good season and as we head to the nationals, there is no room to relax,” said Kipngetich.

Among the Kenyan students who have qualified for the nationals are Caroline Jepkorir (3,000m steeplechase) and Rosemary Longisa (1,500m), both from Washington State University, Gladys Chepngetich (800m) from Clemson University and Deborah Cherono (3,000m steeplechase) from Texas A&M University.

Vanice Kerubo (400m hurdles) and Janet Amimo (800), both from the University of Kentucky, Marion Chepngetich (5,000m) from the University of New Mexico, Diana Cherotich (10,000m) from Oregon University, Nancy Cherop (5,000m) from Clemson University, Domtila Cheruto (5,000/10,000m) from Oklahoma University, will also feature in the national championships.

Joash Ruto (3,000m steeplechase) from Iowa State University, Brian Masai (1,500m) from the University of Arkansas, Laban Kipkemboi (3,000m steeplechase), Brian Musau (5,000m), and Kevin Kemboi (Triple Jump) all from Oklahoma States University, will also be eyeing glory in Eugene.

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