Kericho, Nakuru dominate World U-20 Championships preliminaries

Stephen Masindet celebrates winning 1,500m heat during Athletics Kenya World Under-20 Championships preliminary trials at Nyayo National Stadium on November 20, 2020.


Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Nakuru’s Judy Chepkoech and Winnie Kimutai reigned supreme in their 3,000m heats as Wilson Lentnyei from Central hauled an impressive 61.68m to win men’s javelin throw
  • Kimutai clocked the second-best time over 5,000m when winning the second heat in 13:46.8, beating Eastern’s Reuben Mosin in 13:50.3 as North Rift’s Felix Korir settled third in 13:51.8
  • Grace Loibach from North Rift came in third in 9:26.3 but it’s Kimutai, who won the second 3,000m heat with the third fastest over the distance in 9:25.5, beating compatriot Christine Chesibo in 9:26.7

Torongo’s Gedion Rono and Victor Kimutai from Kericho dominated to chalk the fastest times in their 5,000m races as the national preliminary trials for World Under-20 Championships got underway at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.

Nakuru’s Judy Chepkoech and Winnie Kimutai reigned supreme in their 3,000m heats as Wilson Lentnyei from Central hauled an impressive 61.68m to win men’s javelin throw.

Kericho’s Kipkorir Sigei won the men's long jump after scaling 7.02m. Rono clocked 13 minutes and 33.5 seconds to win his heat, beating Flevi Chematot from Western and South Rift’s Benson Kiplagat in 13:47.5 and 13:52.5 respectively.

“It was a good race and it’s my hope that I get to represent my country. It will be even more exciting running in the backdrop of home fans,” said Rono. “But I still have a long way to go in my preparations. I want to be in my best form during the final selection in April.”

Kimutai clocked the second-best time over 5,000m when winning the second heat in 13:46.8, beating Eastern’s Reuben Mosin in 13:50.3 as North Rift’s Felix Korir settled third in 13:51.8.

Gideon Rono (327) leads Levy Chemutai (left) and Benson Kiplagat in the 5,000m race during Athletics Kenya World Under-20 Championships preliminary trials at Nyayo National Stadium on November 20, 2020.


Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

Chepkoech was home and dry in 9:02.8 in the women’s 3,000m first after easily brushing aside Marion Cheriot from Central Rift, who posted the second fastest time over the distance in 9:11.4.

Grace Loibach from North Rift came in third in 9:26.3 but it’s Kimutai, who won the second 3,000m heat with the third fastest over the distance in 9:25.5, beating compatriot Christine Chesibo in 9:26.7.

Lentnyei produced his fourth best throw of 61.68m after previous throws of 61.12m, 60.40m and 59.97m to win javelin throw, beating compatriot Daniel Mungai in 55.67 as South Rift’s Gedion Kiprotich hauled 54.81 for third place.

Joy Akinyi (right) leads others from the bend in women's 200m women heat during Athletics Kenya World Under-20 Championships preliminary trials at Nyayo National Stadium on November 20, 2020.


Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

Sigei saved the best for last, downing 7.02m in his sixth and last jump as Dennis Mwangi from Nairobi managed 6.90m for second while the 2018 Africa Under-18 Championships triple jump champion, Collins Kiprotich registered 6.87m for third.

Athletics Kenya director for youth and development Barnaba Korir said close to 70 juniors will be selected after Saturday for specialised training.

“We shall have selected camps across the country hosting these juniors for training. We shall deliberately focus our attention on sprints and field events since we are weak in these areas,” said Korir adding that athletes with the best time are the ones to make the cut.

Mary Sofia wins women's 100m heat during Athletics Kenya World Under-20 Championships preliminary trials at Nyayo National Stadium on November 20, 2020.


Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

Jackline Wanjala (North Rift) 60.2, Linda Kageha (Nairobi) 55.4, Gladys Mumbe (Southern) 58.5 and Stellah Asiptar (North Rift) 60.0 won their respective women’s 400m heats.

Aaron Kipng'eno (Nyanza) 48.8, Emmanuel Mutua (Southern) 48.1, Elikanah Kiprotich (Mogonga) 48.3, Eric Lekishon (Emanyatta) 50.0 and Hillary Misiko (North Rift) 48.6 prevail in their men’s 400m heats.

Collated results

Women

3,000m. Heat 1; - 1. Judy Chepkoech (Nakuru) 9:02.8, 2. Marion Cheriot (C/Rift) 9:11.4, 3. Grace Loibach (N/Rift) 9:26.3, 4. Daicy Cherop (Central) 9:41.9.

Heat 2:- 1. Winnie Kimutai (N/Rift) 9:25.5, 2. Christine Chesibo (N/Rift) 9:26.7, 3. Sheila Chepkurui (S/Rift) 9:38.7, 4. Sophie Chelanga 9:46.7, 5. Doreen Kibet (Nandi) 9:51.8.

400m

Heat 1:- 1. Lindah Kageha (Nyanza South) 55.4, 2. Sylvia Chelangá( N/Rift) 55.9, 3. Nelly Chepchirchir (Kapchemoiywo) 56.1, 4. Salome Paul (Eastern) 62.5, 5. Nancy Wangechi (Central) 63.1

Heat 2:- Stellah Asiptar (N/Rift) 60.0), 2. Evalyne Owour (Nyanza North) 65.8, 3. Millicent Kiprop (Torongo) 66.2, 4. Beatrice Kandie (Torongo) 67.8, 5. Delian Mesenua (Emanyatta) 79.9.

Heat 3:- 1. Jackline Wanjala (N/Rift) 60.2, 2. Elizabeth Khateli (N/Rift) 60.7, 3. Loice Moraa (Mogonga) 61.6, 4. Kiasyo Kamba (Southern) 65.6, 5. Veluma Hasisa (Nyanza North) 73.3.

Heat 4:- 1. Gladys Mumbe (Southern) 58.5, 2. Jackline Mwikayu (Southern) 59.4, 3. Mercy Oketch (Mogonga), 4. Sharon Cheptoo (N/Rift) 65.4), 5. Maureen Chelanga (Bungoma) 71.0

1,500m

Heat 1:- 1. Daisy Chepkorir (Keringet) 4:21.6, 2. Faith Chepkoech (Kip/Camp) 4:21.8, 3. Maureen Chetich (S/Rift) 4:22.1, 4. Miriam Chemtai (S/Rift) 4:30.8, 5. Diana Chepteek (Kaptar) 4:234.6

Heat 2:- 1. Purity Chepkirui (Keringet) 4:15.8, 2. Winnie Jemtai (N/Rift) 4:28.1, 3. Nancy Cheruto (Western) 4:30.4, 4. Lyna Bungei (Western) 4:45.1, 5. Mercy Chepsoyo (Nyanza central) 4:46.9

Men

5,000m

Heat 1:- 1. Gedion Rono (Torongo) 13:33.5, 2. Flevi Chematot (Western) 13:47.5, 3. Benson Kiplangat (S/Rift) 13:52.5, 4. Allan Kibet (N/Rift) 14:08.8, 5. Francis Korir (Kapkomei) 14:12.5.

Heat 2:- Victor Kimutai (Kericho) 13:46.8, 2. Reuben Mosin (Eastern) 13:50.3, 3. Felix Korir (N/Rift) 13:51.8, 4. Duncan Maina (Nyandarua) 13:53.2, 5. Victor Kipkirui (Keringet) 14:12.8

400m hurdles

Heat 1:- Patrick Muindi (Southern) 54.9, 2. Allan Ng;etich (Central) 55.3, 3. Victor Kipkemoi (Silibwet) 55.6, 4. Japheth Cheruiyot (N/Rift) 59.1, 5. Onesmus Kibet (Kericho) 61.2.

Heat 2:- Peter Kithome (Machakos) 54.4, 2. Meshack Baraka (Eastern) 54.6, 3. Francis Kimeu (Makueni) 57.1,  4. Gilbert Remoo (Nyanza) 57.3, 5. Moses Mugo (Muguga) 60.1

400m

Heat 1:- 1. Hillary Misiko (N/Rift) 48.6, 2. Wilson Letunyei (Central) 48.9, 3. Kennedy Kimeu (Machakos) 49.1

Heat 2:- 1. Emmanuel Mutua (Southern) 48.1, 2. Calvin Mwendwa (Sourthern) 50.6, 3. Philip Olesange (Torongo) 50.9, 4. Josphat Kipleting (Kapchomoto) 51.3, 5. Shadrack Ptutek (Torongo) 51.9

Heat 3:- Elikanah Kiprotich (Mogonga) 48.3, 2. Brian Themenga (Nyanza) 48.5, 3. Harrison Erege (Torongo) 49.5, 4. Mayei Kiaoo (Kipterit) 50.3, 5.  Brian Ochieng (Nyanza) 54.6

Heat 4:- 1. Eric Lekishon (Emanyatta) 50.0, 2. Cornelius Mutinda (Southern) 50.4, 3. Edwin Omondi (Rongai) 51.7, 4. Sebastian Sinos (Eastern) 52.1, 5. Wycliffe Omondi (Nyanza) 53.2