Nairobi IAAF World Under-18 Championships spectacle enters Day Two today at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where Edward Zakayo and Stephen Mburu will team up in boys' 3,000m round one.
Zakayo, a Form One student at Kapsait Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County chalked up victory at the national trial in a personal best of 7:53.8 to finish ahead of Mburu (7:56.0).
The duo hopes to easily progress into the final and preserve the sterling performance in Cali, Colombia, where Kenya scooped the top two medals with Richard Yator Kimunyan edging out his compatriot Davis Kiplangat to win the coveted prize.
The 19-year Kiplangat has since graduated to the senior ranks and will represent Kenya at the IAAF London World Championships next month in men's 5,000m.
Zakayo hopes his victory during the national trials has unlocked his potential in long distance running and a podium finish at the global event at Kasarani will no doubt brighten his future and help in secure a manager.
"I want to win this championships by all means. When such victory comes, it will come with many good tidings no doubt. More doors wull be open and help me get a manager.
"Things have been tough, but I know it is just a matter of time before they begin working out. I will start earning money to pay for my school fees and uplift my family's living standards.
While many parents would have wished to see and cheer their children as they compete in international championships, Zakayo's mother has been somewhat apprehensive with the youngster's involvement in sports and athletics for that matter.
"I will also want to prove to my mother that indeed, someone can earn a living from sports," said Zakayo.
Mburu and Zakayo will expect stiff competition from Ethiopia's Selemon Barega and Milkesa Mengesha. Uganda's Oscar Chelimo, who ran a time of 8:19.7 during their national trials, will be also be in the race.
Since winning the world U20 5000m title last year, the 17-year-old Ethiopian Barega notched up three victories in international cross-country races over the winter before finishing fifth in the U20 race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017.
Earlier this month, he won the African U20 title and four days later clocked 12:55.58 – the second-fastest performance in history by an U18 athlete – to finish second at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.
His 3000m en-route split of 7:53.1 makes him the fastest entrant for the 3000m in Nairobi.
Eritrea is another nation whose athletes are always worthy of consideration in this discipline and their charge is led by Bereket Tedros and Bereket Michael, who have both clocked 8:13 for the distance. Oscar Chelimo of Uganda is also sure to be in contention.
Of the non-Africans in the race, France's Etienne Daguinos is the fastest performer, though he will likely need to vastly improve on his best of 8:23.10 to challenge for a medal.
