Chepkirui leads in medal hunt: Chepkirui, Chebet ready to open medal haul as games begin

Poland team sun-bath after their training session Matayo at Kasarani Stadium ahead of the Nairobi IAAF World Under 18 championship.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Boasting two fastest times this year, Kenyans are seeking to extend their dominance in the 3,000m race.

Immaculate Chepkirui and Beatrice Chebet are targeting nothing less than top finishes in the girls' 3,000m run on Day One of the IAAF World Under-18 Championships at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, tomorrow.

For 17-year-old Chepkirui, such hopes are not far-fetched as she has already made a name for herself at global events. She won silver in last year's 3,000m Junior Championships in Poland.

Chepkirui, who will partner with Chebet in the 3,000m final, wants to improve her performance. She knows that if she goes one better in Nairobi, it will be game over.

"I hope everything goes on as planned. I want to impress my fans with a good performance. My target is to win a gold medal and nothing less. We will work as a team to ensure that we finish top. We are also aware of our Ethiopian rivals," said Chepkirui.

"I have trained well and leave the rest to God," added the Standard Seven pupil of Kobori Primary School in Sotik, Bomet County.

Chepkirui was seventh in the IAAF Under-20 World Cross Country Championships in Kampala early this year.

In the girls' 2,000m steeplechase, youngsters Caren Chebet and Pamela Jeptoo are also expected to have it easy.

Kenyans are also expected to produce good results in the boys' 800m. Noah Kiprono and Japheth Kibiwott will aim to qualify for the next round when they line up in the heats.

Meanwhile, Jamaican athletes have expressed hopes of dominating the championships in the absence of athletics powerhouse United States.

The Caribbean nation, known for its prowess in sprints, will be represented by 24 athletes and eight officials.

"We are already feeling at home here in Kenya. We are no longer visitors and we are going to do well, get that from me. We can't predict the number of medals we will win, but expect one of our best performances," said team manager Trevor Campbell.

Other countries training at the refurbished Kasarani Stadium include South Africa, Poland and the Bahamas.

World Under-18 defending champions US, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Japan and Canada withdrew from the championships citing insecurity and terrorism.