African junior 3000 metres champions Emmanuel Kiprono and Cynthia Chepkirui headline a number of teenagers who have already secured their tickets for the World Under 20 Championships set for August 5-9 in Eugene, United States of America.
At the World under 20 championship trials at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, May 22, 2026, Kiprono, a form three student at St Francis Kimuron Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet, ran peerless for the better part of the men’s 3000m race, coming home first in 7:35.4, while Edwin Sanutia came second in 7:59.6, to close the ticketing window.
In the women’s 5000m metres, Chepkirui, fresh from bagging her silver medal from the World Cross country championships in Tallahassee, United States, surged ahead in the last two laps, crossing the line first in 15:24.4 as Joyline Chepkemboi, finished second 15:37.8 in the women’s 5000m.
Cynthia Chepkurui’s World Under 20 Championships target
Chepkirui, during an interview with the writer of this piece, said she hopes to eclipse her silver medal as she goes back to the familiar USA, albeit this time competing on the track.
“…yes, I won silver in the USA this year, and I hope my going back there motivates me to rewrite the history that I made there (few months ago),” said the form four student at Kalyet Secondary school in Kericho County.
Celestine Jepleting won the women’s 400m hurdles in 1:04.1, Rita Mwende trailing second in 1:06.4 while Vincent Kipkoech 54.79 and John Milia (57.52) were the first two finishers in the men’s category.
Paul Kemei is one of the renowned youth coaches. The Lemotit Training Camp coach says the competition was stiff as the athletes posted brilliant times at the trials.
“The times posted here are very promising, meaning there will be a few things to fine tune when these youth go to the team camp ahead of the championships in USA,” said Kemei, also coaching world record holder Beatrice Chebet.
How AK’s incorporation of schools is paying off
National Olympics Committee of Kenya’s (Nock) vice president and Athletics Kenya’s Director of Youth Development Barnabas Korir also said the stiff competition exhibited on day one shows the immense talent abound in Kenya.
Korir further says the talent showcased at the trials are as a result of a strategic plan that was mooted by AK and which incorporates schools and coaches, in an ultimate plan to strengthen holiday trainings for school children.
The national trials end on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
