Four Kenyan runners will be in action for the 5,000m final where medals are expected as the World U20 Championships guns off in Lima, Peru.
Mercy Chepkemoi, Sheila Jebet, Andrew Alamisi and Ishmael Rokotto will begin Kenya’s medal hunt on the opening day of the World Under-20 Athletics Championships at the Estadio Atletico de la Videna in Lima, Peru on Tuesday night.
Chepkemoi and Jebet will compete in the 5,000m women’s race as Alamisi and Kipkurui chase for honours in the men’s equivalent.
In other events on the opening day, Sarah Moraa and Janet Jepkemoi will be competing in the 800m heats, looking to qualify for the semi-final, while Kelvin Koech and Phanuel Kipkosgei square it off in the men’s race.
09:42 - 22.08.2024
Amos Serem's younger brother hoping to replicate his 2021 performance at 2024 World Under-20 championships
Amos Serem's younger brother, Edmund, hopes to follow in his footsteps as he looks to impress on the Olympic stage at the upcoming World U20 Championships.
Moraa, who is drawing inspiration from her cousin Mary Maraa, the world 800m champion, has emerged as one of Kenya's brightest prospects, having recently lowered her personal best to an impressive 1:59.39 during the Kenyan Olympic Trials in June, where she finished third.
That performance makes her the second fastest in the field of competitors based on personal best times.
The entries are led by Australia's Claudia Hollingsworth, who has established herself as the favourite by setting a new national U20 800m record with a time of 1:58.40.
18:00 - 24.08.2024
Mary Moraa’s cousin to face fierce 800m challenge at World U20 Championships
The World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima will feature a young Kenyan athlete competing against top emerging 800m talents.
Hollingsworth went on to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics, where she reached the semi-finals, underscoring the level of competition Moraa will face in Lima.
Meanwhile, Diana Chepkemoi and Sharon Chepkemoi will compete in the 3,000m steeplechase also on the opening day of the event.
Kenya finished fourth at the 2022 edition of the event with 10 medals, three gold and silver and four bronze.