Chebet stars as Athletics Kenya World Youth Championships trials begin at Nyayo National Stadium

ATHLETICS
Emily Chebet on her way to winning the girls 3000m race during Athletics Kenya World Youth Championships national trials at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi yesterday. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Africa Youth 3,000m champion Emily Chebet reigned supreme as the Athletics Kenya national trials for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championships started at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi yesterday.

In the only final event of the day, Chebet, a Form Three student at Saramek Secondary School in Kericho County, produced a final curve sprint to the tape in 9:08.8 to beat schoolmate Sheila Chelangat (9:11.5) in the girls’ 3,000m. Chelangat promised do well in Cali, Colombia, where the international event is scheduled to take place.

“It feels great to win a trial here. It was a very competitive race for all of us. It will be nice to replicate my Africa Junior championships performance on the world stage with a top finish,” said Chebet who also won a silver medal at the Africa Junior Championships in Ethiopia in April.

In the 3,000m boys’ race, Richard Yator stopped the clock in 8:03:3 ahead of Edward Rono (7:51.7) to easily win the heat and book a place in today’s final. Also in today’s finals will be Africa Youth champion Davis Kiplangat.

 

SENIOR RANKS

“I hope to qualify tomorrow (today) for the World Junior Championships to graduate to the senior ranks next year with a gold medal,” said Kiplangat.

Betty Chepkemoi was the fastest in the 800m girls’ semi-final heat in a time of 2:08.5. She was followed by Viphian Tirop (2:12.8) in second place. In the other semi-final heat, Mary Kalakye of Southern region timed 2:10.3 to win the race ahead of Divinah Nyabonyi who clocked 2:11.6.

During the event, the athletes had their documents scrutinised to ascertain their ages for the global event where athletes aged 16 and 17 years are expected to take part.

 

FIERCE BATTLE

A fierce battle is looming in the boys’ 1,500m when Lawi Komen (4:37.0) takes on Africa Youth champion Taki Kumari (3:47.6) today.

Kenya will be seeking to surpass her 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, at this year’s event in Cali between July 15 and 19, where they will be taking 26 athletes.

In Donetsk, Kenya finished second behind Jamaica with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

SELECTED RESULTS 

3,000M GIRLS FINAL

Emily Chebet 9:08.9

Sheila Chelanga 9:11.5

Roslida Jepketer 9:13.7

Mary Wangui 9:27.7

3,000M BOYS

Edward Rono 7:51.7

Peter Kipserem 8:00.5

Richard Yator 8:03.3

Davis Kiplangat 8:08.5.

1,500M BOYS

Lawi Komen 4:37.0

Taki Kumari 3:47.6

Amos Kibet 3.49.5

Kipchoge Kiptoo 3:46.3

Larry Koech 3:47.2

Shadrack Ngumbao 3.47.6