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Oketch smashes national 400m record, seals Tokyo slot

Mercy Oketch celebrates after winning the 400m race during the Absa Kip Keino Classic at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on May 31, 2025.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

By  Ayumba Ayodi

Correspondent

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • The 22-year-old Kenya Defence Forces athlete surged with incredible speed on the final bend to cross the finish line in 50.14 seconds at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday.

Africa Military Games 400 metres silver medallist, Mercy Oketch from Kenya, has said her national record-breaking run in the 2025 Kip Keino Classic was down to perfect timing and a change of tack at the blocks.

On Saturday, the 22-year-old broke into a spirited run on the final bend of the one-lap race in the Kenyan round of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series at Ulinzi Sports Complex to win the race in a new Kenyan record of 50.14 seconds.

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