Athletics: Kenyan juniors out to reclaim lost titles

Kenyan 2000m Steeplechase Leonard Bett in heat 2 during the IAAF World U18 Championships at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, July 14, 2017 [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Kenyan junior runners are keen to win elusive gold medals in men’s and women’s under-20 races at the 43rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, on Saturday.

In the past 18 editions of the global showpiece, the under-20 titles have been shared between Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda and the same trend is likely to continue. 

For Kenya, Geoffrey Kamworor was the last Kenyan male athlete to bag a gold medal in the junior race in 2011 and Ethiopia and Uganda have since then ruled the shows.

National junior champion Samuel Chebole, World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Leonard Bett is a medal prospect alongside Emmanuel Kiprotich, Olympic Youth 3000m champion Edwin Koskei, Charles Karuri and world u-18 2,000m steeplechase silver medalist Cleophas Meyan.

Bett, who finished third in the trials in Eldoret, is the most decorated of them all having won silver at the world under-20 championships in Tampere, Finland, last year. He stands at 11th in the world 3,000m steeplechase men rankings.

“I know the level of competition that we expect in Aarhus. We had a good preparation and my target is to get the podium finish, which I hope I will achieve,” said Bett.

Ethiopia will field Nibret Melak, Tsegaye Kidanu, Milkessa Mengesha, Tadese Werku, Getnet Yetwale and Yesfahun Akalne while Uganda will rely on Hosea Kiplagat, Dan Chebet, Job Matthew Chekwurui, Samuel Kibet, Oscar Chelimo and Dennis Cherotich in men’s 8km race.

Another interesting battle lies ahead for the under-20 women event where Kenyans have played second fiddle. World under-20 5,000m champion Beatrice Chebet and Lydia Jeruto, the U-18 800m champion, will lead women’s team alongside Betty Jepkemboi, Jackline Rotich, Mercy Cherop and Mercy Chepkorir, the Youth Olympics 3000m silver medalist in the quest to reclaim gold medal from Ethiopians.

“We have good junior runners, with huge experience and we can easily win gold medals. The team is in high spirit and great shape,” said head coach David Letting.

Ugandans will peg their hopes on Africa Youth Games 3000m silver medalist  Sarah Chelang’at, Annet Chesang, Esther Yeko Chekwemoi, Rebecca Chelangat and Leah Chelangat.

Ethiopian will parade Girmawit Gebreziabher, Alemitu Taku, Tsiget Gebreselama, Meselu Berhe, Wede Kefile and Mizan Alem to the lineup.