Wanyonyi ready to defend U20 title before move to senior ranks

World Under 20 race walking champion Heristone Wanyonyi says a successful title defence in Cali, Colombia will be the perfect way to sign off from the junior ranks. 

The World Under 20 Championship is slated for August 1-6 this year after the previous edition in Nairobi last year. 

“This will be my last year competing in juniors and I hope I will come home with a title to boost my career in walking,” Wanyonyi said. 

The 18-year-old was in action at the fourth and final leg of Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting in Mumias where he won the men's race walking final, clocking 44:27.76 ahead of Africa under 20 10,000m race walk champion Dominic Ndigiti, who timed 44:30.98 in second. 

Stephen Ndangili finished third in 45:06.66. 

Wanyonyi's win in Western followed on from his good showing at the World Race Walking Championships in Muscat, Oman where he finished fourth in the Under 20 10km race, clocking a personal best of 45:18. 

Similarly, World Under 20 3,000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech says her victory in Mumias — against senior athletes in the water and barriers race — has given her fresh impetus to defend her title in Colombia.

The Global Sports Communication athlete timed 9:48.57, ahead of another junior runner, Edna Chepkemei (9:59.66) and Doris Cherop (10:13.06).

Selected results

1,500m men

1. Boaz Kiprugut- 3:3829
2. Moses Kipkemboi- 3:39.10
3. Emedy Kiplimo- 3:39.38

400m women

1. Linda Kageha- 54.8
2. Mercy Oketch- 56.1
3. Veronica Mutua- 56.6

5,000m women

1. Zena Jemutai- 15:55.33
2. Maureen Chepkoech- 16:19.71
3. Abigail Chelimo- 16:20.65

3,000m steeplechase women

1. Jackline Chepkoech- 9:48.57
2. Edna Chepkemoi- 9:59.66
3. Doris Cherop- 10:13.06

200m men

1. Hesbon Ochieng- 21.5
2. Lewis Oichoe- 21.6
3. Samuel Chege- 21.9

200m women

1. Eunice Kadogo- 24.6
2. Mercy Chebet- 24.8
3. Joan Cherono- 25.3

5,000m men

1. Robert Kiprop- 13:36.09
2. Edward Zakayo- 13:36.35
3. Meshack Langat- 13:36.53

400m men

1. William Rayan- 47.4
2. Stanley Kieti- 47.8
3. Kelvin Kiprotich- 48.8

800m men

1. Brian Kiptum- 1:46.96
2. Jonah Kiprop- 1:47.33
3. MacDonald Kipruto- 1;47.78

3,000m steeplechase men

1. Geoffrey Kirwa- 8:45.24
2. Hilal Yego- 8:45.55
3. Peter Rono- 8:52.74

10,000m walk women

1. Sylvia Kemboi- 48:56
2. Naomi Kipkorir- 49:58
3. Asukta Ekale- 51:52

10,000m race walk men

1. Heristone Wanyonyi- 44:27.76
2. Samson Dominic Ndigiti- 44:30.98
3. Stephen Ndangili- 45:06.66