By Debra Rono
The World Under-20 Championships have commenced positively for Kenya, as the nation secured its first gold medal in the 5000m finals.
Commonwealth Youth Games silver medalist Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi excelled in the race, clocking a time of 13:41.14, finishing ahead of Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa, who completed the race in 13:41.54. Uganda’s Kenneth Kiprop earned a bronze medal, finishing third with a season-best time of 13:41.73.
At just 17 years old, Andre Alamisi brought home Kenya’s inaugural medal during the opening of the athletics events held in Lima, Peru.
Also competing in the race was Ishmael Rokitto Kipkirui, the World Cross Country U20 champion, who finished in fourth place.
Both Alamisi and Rokitto are high school students; Alamisi attends St. Peters Keberesi Secondary School in Kisii County, while Rokitto is a Form Four student at Sinonin Secondary School in Baringo County.
In the women’s 5000m finals, Kenya’s Mercy Chepkemoi and Sheila Jebet finished fourth and fifth, narrowly missing out on medal positions. Ethiopia’s Medina Eis defended her title at 14:39.71, while Mekedes Aleshemete of Ethiopia and Uganda’s Charity Cherop secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Chepkemoi and Jebet are high school students from Tiloa Mixed Secondary School in Nakuru County.
In the 3000m heats, Kenya’s Diana Chepkemboi finished second in her heat, trailing behind Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew, who won with a time of 9:30.59. Uganda’s Nancy Chepkwurui placed third with a time of 9:49.06.
In the second heat, Sharon Chepkemoi of Kenya finished third with a time of 10:07.59, while the heat was won by Ethiopia’s Firehiwot Gesehe, who clocked 10:00.96, and Uganda’s Loice Chepkwemoi came in fourth with a time of 10:81.85.
The World Under-20 Championships are taking place in Lima, the capital of Peru, officially commencing on August 27, 2024, and concluding on August 31, 2024.