Reynold Cheruiyot wiped out a strong field to clinch the 1,500m title at the ongoing World Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Thursday morning.
Cheruiyot clocked 3:35.83 ahead of Ethiopia's Ermias Girma (3:37.24) as another Kenyan, Daniel Kimaiyo, sealed the podium places in 3:37.43.
The Kenyans alongside the Ethiopian duo of Girma and Adihana Kasaye were in the leading pack right from the start. However, Cheruiyot unleashed a devastating kick on the home-straight to secure the title.
In the women's 800m final, Nelly Jepchirchir missed out on the title after placing fourth. However, she was rewarded with a lifetime best of 2:01.42.
The race was won by USA's Roisin Willis in 1:59.13, followed by Switzerland's Audrey Werro (1:59.53) as USA's Juliette Whittaker took bronze in 2:00.18.
In the women's 400m semifinals, Sylvia Chelangat failed to make the cut as she finished fifth in season's best time of 53.89.
The heat was won by Spain's Berta Segura in 52.51 as South Africa's Precious Molepo came second in 53.28.
Damaris Mutunga will be Kenya's sole representative in the final after finishing second in her semi, clocking a personal best of 52.29. Great Britain's Yemi John won the heat in a new personal best of 51.72.
The men's 400m semifinals saw Elkanah Chemelili fizzle out in a disappointing eighth place in 48.03.
The heat was won by Botswana's Busang Kebinatshipi in 45.91 as Thailand's Joshua Atkinson came second in 46:13.
The women's 400m final will be held on Friday at 1:40 a.m (EAT).
