Kenya finished fifth as the curtains came down on the World Under 20 Championships in Lima, Peru, on Sunday morning.
Kenya bagged three gold, three silver and one bronze medal as the five-day championship concluded on Saturday evening.
The US reigned supreme with eight gold medals, four silver and four bronze medals, beating Ethiopia to second (six gold, two silver and two bronze) while China were third (four gold, four silver and one bronze).
Team Kenya captain Edmund Serem bagged gold in the 3, 000m steeplechase on the last day of the competition, leading compatriot Mathew Kosgei to a 1-2 finish at Estadio Atlético de la Videna.
Serem reclaimed the title last won by his brother, Amos, at the 2021 edition in Nairobi.
He crossed the finish line in 8:15.28 as compatriot Kosgei won silver in a lifetime best of 8:17.46 while Ethiopia’s Hailu Ayalew settled for bronze with a personal best of 8:24.08.
“As a team leader, I had to show the way despite the event coming on the last day. The team did well and as the games end, we have a reason to work hard and focus on the 2028 Olympic Games,” said Serem.
Africa 800m champion Sarah Moraa won the 800m title on the penultimate day of championships.
She clocked 2:00.36, beating Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth (2:00.87) and USA’s Sophia Gorriaran (2:01.04).
Moraa has set her sights on the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
“I’m happy to win my first gold in the World (U20) Championships on debut. I want to continue training in readiness for next year’s World Championships,” said Moraa.
Double Commonwealth Games silver medalist Andrew Alamisi won the first gold for Kenya on Tuesday.
Alamisi, Africa Under 18 championships 1,500m silver medalist from Zambia last year, won the 5,000m title in 13:41.14 ahead of Ethiopian Abdisa Fayisa (13:41.56) and Ugandan Keneth Kiprop ( 13:41.73 ) — season's best.
“I wanted to win this gold because my preparations were good. I want to thank God for helping me win my first gold,” said Alamisi, the 1,500m and 3,000m Commonwealth Youth silver medalist.
Other medallists were Marion Jepngetich (silver 3,000m), Denis Kipkoech (silver 3,000m) and Diana Chepkemoi (bronze 3,000m steeplechase).
