Andrew Alamisi during the 2024 World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru/FILEThe world Under-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi believes his impressive outing at the XLIII Cross Internacional de Itálica in Spain over the weekend has finely tuned his form ahead of the World Cross Country Championships set for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida.
On Sunday, Alamisi stormed to a second-place finish at the iconic Cross Country meet in Seville, Spain, clocking 26:10.
Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera snatched victory in an identical time to Alamisi, while Kenya’s Denis Kipkoech settled for third in 26:11.
The 18-year-old middle-distance prodigy said the Spanish race was a timely confidence booster as he sharpens his focus on global glory in Florida.
“The race in Spain was okay, it was my first time running there,” Alamisi said.
He believes he is in top form to chase gold in Tallahassee.
“My target is to get gold, and judging from that performance, I believe it’s very possible.”
Alamisi headlines a formidable Kenyan contingent selected during the national championships on October 25, featuring Emmanuel Kipkorir, Frankline Kibet, Edwin Elkana, Kevin Kiprop and Andrew Kiprop.
In Florida, Kenya will be aiming to defend its crown from the 2024 edition in Belgrade, Serbia, where Samuel Kibathi reigned supreme in 22:40.
Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime (22:41) and Kenya’s Matthew Kipruto (22:46) completed the podium.
Kenya also bagged the overall team title in the men’s U-20 category with 15 points, ahead of Ethiopia and Uganda.
In the 2023 edition, Ishmael Kipkurui (24:29) led compatriot Reynold Cheruiyot (24:30) and Ethiopian Boki Diriba (24:31) in a thrilling sprint finish that underlined Kenya’s dominance on the mud and grass.
Alamisi’s 2025 campaign has been nothing short of stellar. His performance this year is highlighted by second-place finishes at the Lyon Indoor Meeting over 3,000m (7:45.61), the Adidas Adizero Road to Records 5K (13:03) and the Zagreb Meeting 5,000m (13:03.30).
He also claimed victory at the Palio Città della Quercia Meeting in Italy, clocking 13:16.90 over 5,000m.
The youngster first made waves on the national youth circuit in 2023, when he captured double silver in the 1,500m and 3,000m at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.
He clocked 8:04.35 in the 3,000m behind compatriot Josphat Sang (8:03.65), and 3:38.12 in the 1,500m, once again finishing just behind Sang (3:37.66).
His biggest breakthrough came at the World U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, where he struck gold over 5,000m in 13:41.14.
Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa (13:41.56) and Uganda’s Keneth Kiprop (13:41.74) completed the podium.
