• Kenya aims to surpass their 2022 performance in Cali, Colombia, where they finished fourth overall with 10 medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze), trailing Ethiopia (12 medals), Jamaica (16 medals, and the USA (15 medals).
• Leading the charge will be African gold medalist Sarah Moraa in the women's 800m.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
Nineteen athletes (10 men and nine women) have been selected to represent Kenya at the upcoming World U20 Championships scheduled for August 27-31 in Lima, Peru.
The trials, held at Nyayo Stadium, saw the top two athletes in each event secure their spots on Team Kenya.
Kenya aims to surpass their 2022 performance in Cali, Colombia, where they finished fourth overall with 10 medals (three gold, three silver and four bronze), trailing Ethiopia (12 medals), Jamaica (16 medals) and the USA (15 medals).
Reynold Cheruiyot (1,500m), Betty Chelangat (3,000m) and Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase) won gold for Kenya.
Leading the charge will be African gold medalist Sarah Moraa in the women's 800m.
Moraa clinched victory in the trials with a time of 2:00.01, followed by Janet Jepkemoi (2:03.18) and Judy Kemunto (2:08.18).
Despite her win, Moraa cut a dejected figure at the finishing line after failing to meet the women's 1:59.30 Olympic mark.
In the women's 5,000m, Mercy Chepkemoi (15:55.23) and Sheila Jebet (15:55.26) earned their slots for Team Kenya with Mercy Jelimo (15:57.24) narrowly missing out on a ticket to Peru.
Chepkemoi will also compete in the 3,000m after clocking 9:10.95 at the trials followed by Marion Jepngetich (9:14.46) and Brenda Jepchirchir (9:22.08).
"I am happy to have made Team Kenya. I will be doubling in the 3,000m and 5,000m in Lima," Chepkemoi stated. She aims to end Kenya's six-year gold drought in the 5,000m.
"My target is to win Kenya a gold medal in the 5,000m. We will work together with Jebet to ensure we keep the Ethiopians at bay," she stated.
Kenya's last gold in this event was won by world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet during the 2018 championships in Tampere, Finland, where she clocked 15:30.77.
Ethiopian's Ejgayehu Taye (15:30.87) and Girmawit Gebrzihair (15:34.01) sealed the podium. The previous two editions have been largely dominated by Ethiopians.
Kelvin Koech won the men's 800m in 1:46.77 followed by Phanuel Kipkosgei (1:46.93) and Nelson Setek (1:47.32). Coming into the trials, Koech had a must-win mentality to ensure he booked a slot for Team Kenya to Peru.
"My target at the trials was to make the team to the U-20 championships and I am glad I was able to secure a slot," Koech stated. Koech expressed his goal to bring home gold from Peru.
"I promise my Kenyan fans that I will do my best in Peru to ensure I come back home with gold," he added.
In the men's 3,000m, Clinton Ngetich secured his spot with a time of 7:48.09. Dennis Kemboi (7:48.48) and Brian Musau (7:51.08) sealed the podium. Ngetich, representing Kenya for the third time, hopes to achieve gold in Peru.
"The race was tough but I pushed myself to qualify. This will be my third outing for the country and I hope to bring back gold," Ngetich stated.
Full team
Women: Sarah Moraa, Janet Jepkemoi (800m), Sheila Jebet, Miriam Kibet (1500m), Mercy Chepkemboi, Marion Jepngetich (3,000m), Mercy Chepkemoi and Sheila Jebet (5,000m); Diana Chepkemoi, Judy Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase).
Men: Kelvin Koech, Phanuel Kipkosgei (800m); Collins Koech, Josephat Kipkurui (1500m); Clinton Ngetich, Dennis Kemboi (3,000m); Edmund Serem, Mathew Kosgei (3,000m steeplechase); Ishmael Kipkurui, Andrew Alamisi (5,000m) and Stephen Ndangiri (10,000m walk race).