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Kenyan African champion out of form

SI At The Olympics • Grant Wahl: Women's Soccer -- One-on-One with April Heinrichs • Brian Cazeneuve: Pinning away • Tim Layden: U.S. track coach faces tough call • Leigh Montville: A movable feast More Features • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Quiz: Today's Tester • Closer Look: Michael Lewis -- U.S. soccer team uses its heads Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Athletes arrive • Photo Gallery: Let the games begin • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Audio and More

ADELAIDE, Australia, Aug 25 (AFP) - African 400m champion Kennedy Ochieng's Olympic preparations suffered a setback here Friday with a sluggish performance at the Oceania Championships.

Ochieng was overshadowed by fellow Kenyans Simon Kemboi and David Kirui.

Ochieng entered the 400m invitational event as firm favourite but clocked a disappointing 47.12 seconds in his heat before opting not to contest the final.

Kemboi clocked the fastest time over the distance in winning his heat in 46.65sec while Kirui (46.84sec) was second fastest. Neither ran in the final.

The Kenyans' absence from the final paved the way for Nigerian Hyginus Anugo to win in 47.48sec, some 0.38sec slower than his winning heat.

Nigeria unleashed their 4x100m relay team which won in 39.85sec, just pipping a fast-finishing Ivory Coast by 0.02sec.

Nigeria also claimed victory in the women's 4x100m relay, in 45.57sec.

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