Kenya made an impressive start to the World Athletics Under-20 Championships after collecting three medals on the opening day of competition at Hayward Field in Eugene, USA.
The strong performance gave the team an early boost as the country continued its tradition of producing talented young athletes on the global stage.
The biggest highlight for Kenya came in the men’s 5,000 metres where Frankline Kibet delivered a brilliant performance to win the gold medal.
The reigning World Under-20 Cross Country champion crossed the finish line in 13 minutes 28.27 seconds to claim his first global track title.
His victory also helped Kenya successfully defend the men’s 5,000m crown after Andrew Alamisi won the same event during the 2024 championships in Lima, Peru.
Kenya completed a memorable one-two finish in the race after Nehemiah Kipngeno secured the silver medal with a time of 13 minutes 30.09 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Damitew Kebede finished third to take bronze after recording a personal best of 13 minutes 35.38 seconds.
The result underlined Kenya’s continued strength in long-distance running, especially at the junior level, where the country has consistently produced athletes capable of competing against the world’s best.
Earlier in the championships, Joyline Chepkemoi added another medal to Kenya’s tally by winning bronze in the women’s 5,000 metres.
She produced a personal best performance of 15 minutes 09.08 seconds to earn a place on the podium.
The race was won by Uganda’s Charity Cherop, who crossed the finish line in 15 minutes 03.88 seconds. Cherop improved on her silver medal from the 2024 championships by claiming the gold in Eugene.
Kenya’s last victory in the women’s 5,000m at the World Under-20 Championships came in 2018 when Beatrice Chebet won the title in Tampere. Chebet has since gone on to become one of the world’s top distance runners and currently holds the world records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.
With one gold, one silver and one bronze medal already secured on the opening day, Kenya has made a positive start to the championships.
The early success will give confidence to the rest of the team as more athletes prepare to compete in the remaining events during the competition.
