Diana Wanza's meteoric rise continues as she strikes gold in Ghana

Fast-rising Diana Wanza made a statement win on debut at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana, delivering Kenya’s third gold medal as she won the women's 10,000m in a time of 31:33.26.

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Going up against a stellar field of 17, Wanza, who had won the Kenyan trials to the Championships and followed it up with victory in the 5000m at the Kip Keino Classic in a new best time in the distance of 15:28.91, controlled the race to cross the finish line first.

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The Kenyan beat Florence Niyonkuru, who took silver in 31:43.73, earning Rwanda’s second medal of the competition after Emeline Imanizabayo claimed the country’s first-ever gold of the continental championships on Wednesday, 13 May. Asefu Abrha Kiros of Ethiopia completed the podium in 31:45.91.

Despite being a debutant on the continental front, Wanza says she was determined to represent the country well and had prepared for the championship with victory in mind.

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"My secret is working hard. You have to train so that you are bold enough to those different faces," noted Wanza, who says the opportunity to compete at the African event has given her the confidence she needs as she looks to debut on the international stage at the Commonwealth Games.

"I'm really grateful to Team Kenya for giving me this opportunity to be here representing my country. This is my first time being in the Kenyan team, so I'm really happy coming here and winning gold," she added.

Elsewhere, Belinda Adhiambo won bronze in the shot put to add to Kenya’s medal tally. South Africa’s Collette Uys produced a throw of 17.63m to win gold, while Cameroonian Carine Mekam Ndo took silver (16.71m) as Adhiambo threw 16.39m to complete the podium.