Kenyan Stars shine at Kasarani for World Athletics U20 trials

Emmanuel Langat reacts after winning the 5000m Men Semi-Final Heat 1 during the Athletics Kenya Trials World U20 Championship at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on July 01, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

The eagerly awaited Athletics Kenya National World Under-20 trials started at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

The action started with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) testing for Covid-19 all journalists covering the event.

Kenya is set to host the World Athletics event from August 17-22 in Nairobi, where 122 countries will take part.

Day two (Friday) final highlights:

Peter Kithome emerged the winner in the 400m Hurdles finals.

"I want to congratulate my coaches for helping me get to this level. It will be my dream to be a medalist come August," said Kithome. 

Peter Kithome [Athletics Kenya]

Keringet’s Maurine Cherotich won the 5,000m final in 15:44.26 at Kasarani Stadium on Friday.

"I am really happy to have cut the team. My hope is to win the Under 20 title and make the country proud. I will train even harder since I don't expect it to be easier during the World Championships,” Cherotich told the press after the mouthwatering race.

Maurine Cherotich (Left) on way to winning the 5000m women final during the Athletics Kenya Trials World U20 Championship at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on July 01, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

Margaret Gati of Nyanza South won the women’s 10km walk finals as Jecinta Mutheu of Eastern finished second on Friday.

Margaret Gati wins the 10000m Racewalk women final during the Athletics Kenya Trials World U20 Championship at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on July 02, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed addresses the media during the Athletics Kenya Trials World U20 Championship at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on July 02, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, The Standard]

Day one (Thursday) final highlights:

High Jump Finals

Dar-Ziv Nyah Jemeli cleared 1.68m to win women’s high jump finals on Thursday.

Dar-Ziv Nyah Jemeli [Courtesy]