Kenya begins hunt for medals at World U20 Championships with 5,000m race

Kenya begins hunt for medals at World U20 Championships with 5,000m race

Joel Omotto 15:00 - 27.08.2024

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.

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.

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.

Tags: