Kiplagat, Kirui eye World U-20 slots at Kasarani
Emmanuel Kiplagat (left) from Baringo County and Levy Kibet from Nandi County battle it out during the men's 5,000m race at the Athletics Kenya Central Rift Regional Under-20 trials held at Eliud Kipchoge Training Camp in Kapsabet, Nandi County on May 22, 2021. Kiplagat won the race followed by Kibet.
What you need to know:
- Athletics Kenya is using the event as a dry run ahead of the World Under-20 Championships which shall be held at the same venue on August 17-22.
- Kiplagat won the race during the World U-20 pre-trials three weeks ago in Kapsabet, Nandi County.
Africa Under-18 3,000m champion Emmanuel Kiplagat is confident of a good outing during the 5,000 metres race in the World Under-20 Championships trials that kick-off Thursday at Kasarani.
Athletics Kenya is using the event as a dry run ahead of the World Under-20 Championships which shall be held at the same venue on August 17-22.
Kiplagat won the race during the World U-20 pre-trials three weeks ago in Kapsabet, Nandi County.
Kiplagat wants to improve on his performance after rigorous training back at his home in Torongo in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.
Kiplagat is among athletes from the AK Central region who will be competing in the 5,000m race in the first semifinal on Thursday.
“I have trained well ahead of the trials and I want to be in the team that will be representing Kenya in the global event. After bagging the Africa title, I want to take it a notch higher and go for glory in the championships,” said Kiplagat.
Africa Under-18 2,000m champion Judy Kirui will be competing in the 3,000m steeplechase where she hopes to finish top to get one of the two automatic qualifying slots.
“I know the race will be competitive but I’m equal to the task and my target is to represent my country at the championship being held at home,” said Kirui.
Ismael Kirui, the national junior cross country champion, will feature in the 3,000m race.
Brenda Jepchumba, who won the women's 5,000m during the pre-trials, will be hoping lighting strikes twice. Brenda Jepchirchir will feature in the 3,000m steeplechase race.
Naomi Jeptoo, managed by Rosa Associatti, is in the 3,000m start list.
Noah Kibet, who trains at Ndura Athletics Training Camp in Trans Nzoia, will be representing the North Rift region in the 800m.
Baringo County Athletics Kenya chairman Barnabas Kitilit said that he expects top competition at kasarani.
“It has been more than a year and the juniors have been looking forward to this competition. It will be competitive and I know we shall have new champions in the end,” said Kitilit.
