East Africa junior silver medalists Emmaculate Chepkurui and Ronald Kiprotich were among four junior runners who qualified for the World Junior championships on Day One of the nationals trials at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.
Chepkurui (1542.4), who won the women’s 5000m race, was joined by runners up Catherine Syakau (15:44.0) while Kiprotich (28:38.11) joined the 10,000m race winner Rodgers Kwemoi (28:36.76).
The two-day trials end today with Athletics Kenya set to name a team to represent the country at the world junior championships set for Bydgoszcz, Poland, next month.
Chepkurui and Kiprotich were silver medalists at the East Africa junior championships held in Tanzania in March and were both elated to represent the country for the second time in quick succession.
“I am so happy to make the team today. It was not easy since the weather was not conducive due to the morning rains. I will go to Poland and work hard to bring home a medal,” said Kiprotich.
“I won silver in Tanzania in March and will be hoping to upgrade once we head to Poland,” said Chepkurui. “It’s an honour to make the team again.”
However, East Africa junior champion Andrew Lorot failed in his quest to make Team Kenya after placing sixth in 28:54.88 in a race that saw Mathew Kimeli win bronze (28:40.76). Patrick Kiplagat (28:52.40) and Davis Kiplangat (28:52.40), the world youth silver medalist finished fourth and fifth respectively.
World youth champion Willy Tarbei (1:48.8) and silver medalist Kipyegon Bett (1:48.8) easily made it to today’s 800m final after winning their respective heats. Wycliff Kimanyal (1:50.2) and Jonah Kiprop (1:51.4) won the other two heats.
World Youth 1500m champion Kumari Taki made to the final of his specialty after finishing second in his heat in a time of 3:51.7 behind World Youth silver medalist Lawi Kosgei, who was timed at 3:51.2.