Josephine Sembeyo (R) and Caren Chepchirchir compete in the women's 1,500m at the World U20 trials/ TEDDY MULEIKenya's Under-20 middle-distance coaches are confident the young stars named in Team Kenya for next month's World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, have what it takes to deliver a bumper medal haul and restore the country's dominance on the global stage.
Kenya's 1,500m squad will feature Josephine Sembeyo and Caren Chepchirchir in the women's race, while Wilson Chepkwech and David Kapaiko will fly the national flag in the men's event. In the 800m, Nancy Chepng'etich and Nancy Kibet will spearhead the women's challenge, with Nashon Pkiach and Collins Tentera leading the men's assault.
The World U20 Championships are scheduled for August 5-9 at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene. Women's middle-distance coach Beatrice Warindi revealed that preparations in the residential training camp have gathered momentum, with the athletes responding impressively to the programme. "Camp training has been going on well, and the athletes are very well disciplined," said the tactician.
Warindi said there is growing confidence within the camp that the women's squad has what it takes to return home with an impressive medal haul. "The athletes are pushing themselves, and they are in good shape to bring back medals to Kenya."
She believes the current crop has the hunger to reverse Kenya's recent struggles in the women's middle-distance races at the World U20 Championships. "From previous races, we have not brought a lot of medals, but this group we have is very determined and aiming for medals. We are confident in this group."
At the most recent edition (2024) of the championships in Lima, Peru, Sarah Moraa was Kenya's lone medalist in the women's middle-distance events after storming to 800m gold, the country's only medal in the discipline.
However, Kenya enjoyed greater success at the 2022 championships in Cali, Colombia, where Brenda Chebet won 1,500m gold and Purity Chepkirui claimed silver, although the nation's 800m runners missed out on the podium.
At the 2021 edition in Nairobi, Chepkirui captured the 1,500m title while Winnie Jemutai settled for silver, with Kenya again failing to medal in the women's 800m.
Warindi said the technical bench has placed particular emphasis on sharpening the athletes' finishing speed ahead of the championships. "We have been sharpening their speed, more so in their starts and finishing."
Meanwhile, men's middle-distance coach Peter Rono is equally upbeat about Kenya's prospects, saying the squad has enjoyed a productive build-up. "Camp has been good, and we are thankful that all athletes reported to camp in good health."
"In both the 800m and 1,500m we have had good preparations."
Rono also stressed the need for Kenya to reclaim the middle-distance supremacy that once defined the country's global reputation.
"We were dominant in the middle and long-distance races before, but now we are losing that grip, so we have to improve our tactics," he noted.
The men's team heads to Eugene eager to bounce back after a disappointing outing at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima, where Kenya failed to secure a single middle-distance medal. The performance was a stark contrast to previous editions, when Kenya consistently struck gold in the discipline.
In Cali 2022, Reynold Cheruiyot clinched the men's 1,500m title, while the 2021 championships in Nairobi saw Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Vincent Keter capture gold in the 800m and 1,500m respectively.
Earlier, at the 2018 championships in Tampere, Finland, Solomon Lekuta and George Manangoi also delivered double gold for Kenya in the 800m and 1,500m.
