Athletes continue good tradition of Kenyans at global events
Athletics
By
DENNIS OKEYO
| Jul 27, 2016
Kenya’s team to World Junior Championship (Under 20) in Bydgoszcz, Poland, jetted back yesterday.
The youngsters were received by family members and Athletics Kenya (AK) officials. They then boarded National Youth Service buses to Weston Hotel where the Sports ministry had organised a luncheon for them.
The athletes seemed pleased to have continued the good tradition of Kenya at global events, more so just a few days before the Olympic Games start in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Most of them said they will now sit back and relax after a good achievement in Poland, and will cheer their senior colleagues as they also strive to fly Kenya’s flag high in Rio.
Although Kenya maintained a similar position from the one it attained in Eugene, USA in 2014, it experienced a medal drop. However, there were more gold medals in Bydgoszcz as compared to Eugene.
In Eugene, Kenya collected 16 medals (four gold, five silver and seven bronze) behind the perennial top finisher United States (11 gold, five silver and four bronze medals).
In Bydgoszcz, the world middle and long distance running powerhouse amassed nine medals (five gold, two silver and two bronze) to finish second behind USA’s 21 medals (11 gold, six silver and four bronze). Ethiopia finished third with 10 medals (four gold, two silver and four bronze medals)
Amos Kirui also made sure that the country’s perfect U20 World Championships winning streak in 3,000m steeplechase continued with victory on the last day of competition on Sunday.
Kirui’s win maintained the country’s perfect run of 15 consecutive gold medals in the event. The pre-race favourite and world youth champion Vincent Ruto finished outside the podium positions in fourth place.
“My body responded well at the right time. I was sure of a medal but not gold medal. I have been working really hard in training and watching Ezekiel Kemboi’s jumping techniques. I want to be like him,” said Kirui, who hails from Keringet in Nakuru County.
Kirui’s gold medal was the country’s 15th consecutive victory in the event.
Japan-based Rodgers Kwemoi started the gold rush with his victory in the men’s 10,000m in the opening day of the championship, followed by Celliphine Chepteek who now has two global titles after winning the world youth last year in Cali, Colombia.
Kipyegon Bett, a younger brother of the reigning Commonwealth 3,000m steeplechase champion Purity Cherotich and training partner to 800m runner Ferguson Rotich in Kericho County — a region that produced Kenya’s first Olympic medal in 1964 through Wilson Kiprugut Chumo in 800m — is eager to do well at the senior level.
Interestingly, Bett defeated Willy Tarbei, a training partner to World 800m record holder David Rudisha and Augustin Choge in Iten.
“We worked as a team, we wanted 1-2 positions and we thank God we managed it. Now, my focus is to run two IAAF Diamond League series before the season ends,” Bett.
The other gold medals came from Kumari Taki, who dived across the line to win the men’s 1,500m. Taki is also the reigning IAAF World Youth champion over the same distance.
The focus now shifts to Nairobi 2017 IAAF World Youth (Under 18). Its Local Organising Committee (LOC) members were part of the Kenya’s contingents to Bydgoszcz as part of benchmarking mission.
Gold
Rodgers Kwemoi (10,000m)
Kumari Taki (1,500m)
Celliphine Chepteek (3,000m s/c)
Amos Kirui (3,000m s/c)
Kipyegon Bett (800m)
Silver
Emmaculate Chepkirui (5,000m)
Willy Kiplimo Tarbei (800m
Bronze
Anthony Kiptoo (1500m)
Wesley Ledama (5000m)