Stiff Competition as Teen Athletes Battle for World U20 Championship Tickets to USA
National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Vice President and Athletics Kenya Director of Youth Development Barnabas Korir praised the depth of talent on display, saying the performances reflect Kenya’s strong junior development structure.
Athletes compete during the World Under-20 Championships trials at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi as Kenya selects its national team ahead of the World U20 Championships scheduled for August in Eugene, United States.
African junior 3000m champions Emmanuel Kiprono and Cynthia Chepkirui headlined a strong field of teenage athletes as competition intensified during the World Under-20 Championships trials ahead of the August 5–9 event in Eugene, United States.
At the trials held at Nyayo National Stadium, Kiprono, a Form Three student at St Francis Kimuron Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet, dominated the men’s 3000m race for most of the distance before powering to victory in 7:35.4. Edwin Sanutia finished second in 7:59.6, sealing qualification in a tightly contested race.
In the women’s 5000m, Chepkirui—fresh from winning a silver medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, USA—produced a strong finishing kick in the final two laps to win in 15:24.4. Joyline Chepkemboi finished second in 15:37.8.
Chepkirui, a Form Four student at Kalyet Secondary School in Kericho County, expressed optimism about returning to the United States to improve on her earlier success.
“I won silver in the USA earlier this year, and I hope going back there will motivate me to rewrite the history I made a few months ago,” she said.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Celestine Jepleting claimed victory in 1:04.1, with Rita Mwende finishing second in 1:06.4.
The men’s equivalent saw Vincent Kipkoech win in 54.79 seconds, followed by John Milia in 57.52 seconds.
Youth coach Paul Kemei of Lemotit Training Camp described the level of competition as highly impressive, noting that athletes delivered strong performances despite the pressure of qualification.
“The times posted here are very promising, meaning there will be a few things to fine-tune when these athletes go to camp ahead of the championships in the USA,” said Kemei, who also coaches world record holder Beatrice Chebet.
National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Vice President and Athletics Kenya Director of Youth Development Barnabas Korir praised the depth of talent on display, saying the performances reflect Kenya’s strong junior development structure.
Korir attributed the high standards to a strategic programme by Athletics Kenya that integrates schools and coaches, strengthening structured holiday training for student-athletes.
The national trials conclude on Saturday.
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