•Cherotich's gold is Kenya's third while Mutunga's silver is the first second-place finish at the championships.
Image: FILE
Faith Cherotich and Damaris Mutunga have delivered gold and silver respectively at the ongoing World Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
World Under-20 3000m SC champion Faith Cherotich wiped out a strong field in a gun-to-tape performance to clinch the 3000m steeplechase title in 9:16.14.
This was an upgrade from the bronze medal she won during last year's edition at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Ethiopia's Sembo Almayew and Meseret Yeshaneh settled for second (9:30.41) and third (9:42.02) respectively.
Cherotich hit the front right from the start, followed by the Ethiopians. However, the Kenyan continued to put in the gas and created a healthy gap that proved disastrous for her rivals. Unfortunately, Kenya's other representative Pamela Kosgei fell victim to the high pace to finish a distant fifth in 10.06.42.
In the women's 400m final, Damaris Mutunga, against all odds, settled for silver in 51.71.
The race was won by Great Britain's Yemi John in a personal best time of 51.50 as India's Rupal placed third in a PB time of 51.85.
Cherotich's gold is Kenya's third while Mutunga's silver is the first second-place finish at the championships.
Meanwhile, Peter Kithome's race to the 400m/hurdles podium ended at the semifinal stage, where he finished third in his semi to bow out.
In the semi that was won by Puerto Rico's Yan Manuel Vazquez in 50.37, France's Sonny Gandrey was second in a personal best time of 50.59 as Kithome returned 50.84 for third.