Lion-slaying traditions changed with monitor triumphs at Maasai Olympics

Lion-slaying traditions changed with monitor triumphs at Maasai Olympics

Throngs of spectators from the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem flocked to Kimana Sanctuary on the weekend, bringing power and pleasure to the sixth version of the “Maasai Olympics,” the place custom met fierce athletic competitors.

Dozens of younger morans and ladies from 4 villages — Eselengei, Kuku, Mbirikani, and Rombo — participated in numerous sports activities occasions, competing for prime prizes, together with a bull and money rewards.

The members took half in races overlaying 5,000m, 1,500m, 800m, 200m and 100m, in addition to monitor and area occasions such because the excessive bounce, javelin and membership throw goal.

The 200m race was among the many most hotly contested occasions, with finallists working twice. This was on account of a grievance lodged after the primary spherical of the ultimate, inflicting a close to one-hour delay because the organisers, together with monitor officers from Keino, deliberated on the matter.

Following their choice to rerun the race, Meshack Kutata, who initially completed third, beat his opponents to clinch the win.

Fredrick Solonka and Sematete Keturai claimed second and third positions, respectively.

In the boys’s 800m, Stephen Masintet who had taken the lead from the start took the win house whereas David Kapaito and Toret Solomon got here in on the second and third place, respectively.

In the 5000m race, which had 4 visitor runners, as soon as once more Masintet proved to be a person to observe as he once more led the pack within the 12 laps earlier than ultimately taking the award house.

From the start of the race, Masintet ensured to retain his lead and additional managed to take care of his composure, even because the race continued.

“God willingly, in future, I would like to take part in the national competitions and trials since I can see myself competing in such stages. I believe I have the speed and I only need to work on a few things which will make me a worthy competitor,” Masintet mentioned.

The Maasai ladies had been additionally not left behind on this yr’s competitions as they took half within the 100m and 1500m races.

Girls as younger as 9 years had been seen giving the older ladies a troublesome time particularly within the 1500m that was received by Josephine Sempeyo who was adopted carefully by Milicent Naikun and Regina Tosian.

Jackline Tianina, Anastacia Lemeyian and Valentina Naisimoi got here in first, second and third place within the 100m ladies’ race.

In the goal competitors, Ole Ntinina proved to have sufficiently skilled his membership throwing abilities after he took an early lead from the start of the competitors to the tip whereas Philip Kilelo and James Kiranto got here in as the primary and second runners-up respectively.

In the javelin occasion that was a memory of how the Maasai threw their spears, Joseph Lekatoo, took the win whereas Lemaron Lulunke’s top propelled him to take the win within the excessive bounce competitors.

Coach Hedkin Mutua from Emali expertise Centre mentioned the Maasai Olympics have confirmed an excellent place to supply and spot upcoming skills that they’ll ultimately prepare and nurture to be nice runners.

“Since the beginning of the Olympics, I have been able to spot and later train athletes like Emmanuel Lemama who is currently in Japan, Sebastian Kakaya and many more. I wish more trainers would come to such events to pick out potential talents,” mentioned the coach.

The Maasai Olympics had been launched as a means of culturally shifting the younger morans from killing lions for granted of passage to guard the wild cats and as a substitute participate within the competitions as the choice proper of passage.a