Kenyans make promising start

Kenya 1500m George Meitamei Manangoi wins heat 2 during IAAF World U18 Championships at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday 12/07/17.[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Kenyans sent a strong message to the rest of the world with impressive performances as the IAAF World Under-18 Championships began at Kasarani Stadium yesterday.

Dominic Kipkemboi and George Manangoi laid down the marker with dominant displays in the boys’ 1,500m, finishing strong to confirm their rising status in a race Kenya has dominated over the years.

Front-running Kipkemboi, who opened a 40-metre lead at the bell, caused some panic in the stadium when he started limping in the 100m homestretch as Algerian Oussama Cherrad charged behind him.

Kipkemboi however held on to win the race in a personal best of 3:48.77, beating Cherrad (3:48.98) in heat one and booking a slot in Friday's final.

Ethiopian Abebe Dessassa stopped the clock in 3:49.58 to finish third.

“I experienced slight pain on my left leg, but it’s not worrying me. It will be fine by the time we compete in the final tomorrow. I hope to win a gold medal and at the same time improve my new personal best,” Kipkemboi said.

Manangoi, featuring in heat two, also did what he was expected to as he easily won the race in 3:55.00. Ethiopia’s Belete Makonen (3:56.1) finished second while Ugandan Daniel Kiprop registered 3:58.68 for third place.

“I believe in myself; it was a comfortable race for me. I didn’t want to burn myself out considering I still have the final race in front of me. I’m in a pretty good shape and hope to show that in Friday’s final,” said Manangoi, the younger brother of 2015 World Championships silver medallist Elijah Manangoi.

Speaking to Standard Sports after seeing his boys qualify easily for the finals, head coach Kariuki Gikonyo cautioned his charges not to be over-excited.