Kenya asserted her supremacy in athletics by clinching three gold medals on the last day of the World Under 20 Athletics Championships at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani on Sunday.
Kenya finished the championships with 17 medals (eight gold, two silver and seven bronze) to top the standings, retaining the overall title they won three years ago in Tampere, Finland.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi kicked of the afternoon in style, winning the 800m title in a championship record of 1:43.76 ahead of Algeria’s Mohamed Ali Gouaned (1:44.45) while another homeboy Noah Kibet grabbed the bronze medal in 1:44.88.
Wanyonyi said that they had a plan with Kibet to run as a team but there was too much push and pull, scattering their plans for a 1-2 podium finish.
“As much as I have won the title, it wasn’t easy. I had to work extra hard, pushing ahead to win,” said Wanyonyi. “I had too much pressure but saw me through."
Compatriot Kibet, 17, said he will now focus on the next Under 20 Championships, set for Cali, Colombia, next year.
“I really wanted to win but the push and pull derailed me. However, I have another chance to redeem myself in Colombia next year,” said Kibet.
Purity Chepkirui won the 1,500m title as compatriot Winnie Jemutai clinched bronze as Ethiopian Diribe Welteji blotted a homegirls' push for a 1-2 finish by grabbing the silver medal.
Chepkirui crossed the finish line in 4:16.07, Welteji timed 4:16.39 with Jemutai a distant third in 4:18.89.
“The Ethiopian gave me a hard time but the few spectators gave me the energy to push on. I will be eyeing the Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris. I have always been inspired by Faith Chepngetich, whom we come from the same neighbourhood,” said Chepkirui, who trains in Tiloa, Keringet under head coach Michael Siele.
Jemutai, 17, said she has the opportunity go for the title in Colombia.
“I really wanted to win gold but it was not possible. I have now set my focus on the 2022 Under 20 championships,” said Jemutai.
Amos Serem ensured Kenya's dominance in 3,000m steeplechase was back in the fore when he won the title in 8:30.72 ahead of Ethiopia's Tadese Takele (8:33.15) while another Kenyan, Simon Koech clinched bronze (8:34.79).
Serem, who started celebrating after clearing the last barrier, said: “We had good plans with my compatriot (Koech). We had to win the title after the senior team were beaten during the Olympic Games. We wanted to bring the glory back.”
Compatriot Koech said: “I am okay with a bronze medal but it is not what I wanted,” said Koech.
Zena Cheptoo delivered a silver in the 5,000m behind Ethiopia's Mizan Alem. Cheptoo had initially finished fourth but had the last laugh after Melknat Wudu and Uganda's Prisca Chesang were disqualified for lane infringement.
Kenya wrapped the championships with a bronze in men's 4x400m relays.
