Athletics Kenya Youth Development chairman Barnaba Korir (C) addressing a press conference in Nairobi last week/HANDOUTAfrica U18 2,000m steeplechase champion Emmanuel Lemiso is set to renew his rivalry with Brian Kandie at the 2026 World Under-20 (WU20) trials scheduled for Thursday to Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium.
Lemiso, a student at Raila Education Centre in Nairobi, will compete for a place in Team Kenya for the WU20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, set for August 2–9. He is among 19 athletes vying for selection in the men’s events.
The two have already built a competitive rivalry. Lemiso beat Kandie to win the national secondary schools 3,000m steeplechase title in Kisumu, before Kandie returned the favour by defeating him at the Absa Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo Stadium.
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Lemiso is now eager for another meeting.
“During the Kip Keino Classic, I had some discomfort in my knee. I didn’t want to push hard because I could have aggravated it. I’m ready for another face-off,” said Lemiso, who is also the national secondary schools 3,000m champion.
He has also entered the 1,500m and 3,000m events at the trials.
Kandie, a student at Sinonin Secondary School in Baringo County, says he is ready for the challenge and is targeting a place at the global championships.
“It will be a competitive race, but my target is to represent Kenya at the World Under-20 Championships,” he said.
In the women’s events, former World Cross Country U20 bronze medallist Joyline Chepkemoi is among the favourites in the 5,000m. She faces strong competition from Kongit Secondary siblings Vanenza and Linda Maasai, as well as other contenders.
National secondary schools champion Faith Jeptum also headlines the women’s field alongside Sylvia Jemwetich and Linda Maasai.
More than 200 athletes have been invited for the three-day trials. Competitors will be issued numbers and undergo vetting on Thursday, with races set for Friday and Saturday.
Athletics Kenya Youth Development Chairman Barnaba Korir emphasised strict age verification ahead of the championships.
“Athletes must present proper documentation to verify their ages,” said Korir.
He added that Athletics Kenya has intensified efforts to curb age cheating, warning that offenders face sanctions from World Athletics.
Korir noted that the earlier scheduling of the trials is intended to allow time for visa processing and adequate preparation for the championships in Oregon.
