WU20 champion Emmanuel Kiprono crosses the finishing line to win the men's 8km race/ANGWENYI GICHANA
World Under-20 3,000m champion Emmanuel Kiprono obliterated the field to win the boys’ 8km cross country title at the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, on Monday.
Fresh from the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Kiprono led from gun to tape to win at the Gymkhana Club Golf Course.
The Form Three student at St Francis Kimuron in Elgeyo Marakwet County clocked 22:25.6 to claim gold for Kenya.
He beat Tanzania’s Benard Emmanuel to second in 22:46.8, while Kenya’s Wesley Kiplangat took bronze in 22:51.8. Kiplangat is also a Kimuron student.
“It was an easy race. I tried to slow down and encourage my counterparts to catch up, but they were a bit slow. I decided to run my race, and I’m happy for the title,” said Kiprono.
The world junior cross country silver medallist added: “After we landed from the US last week, I decided to come and lift the name of my school and country.”
The 17-year-old ruled out doubling in the 5,000m, saying he wanted to give other athletes an opportunity.
“At the nationals, I won both races, but I have decided not to take part in another race here to give another opportunity to other athletes to carry our flag high,” he said.
Kiprono added: “I will go back home and intensify my training. My target is to represent the country at the World Athletics Championships next year and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. I’m looking forward to going back to the US once more.”
Benard Emmanuel said the silver medal was an important step in his career.
“To win this silver means a lot to me. This is a stepping stone. I want to represent my country in the future and win medals,” he said.
In the women’s 6km race, Kenya swept the podium, with national champion Venenza Chebet Masai of Kongit Secondary in Mt Elgon leading a 1-6 finish.
Masai clocked 18:54.7 to win gold, followed by compatriots Claire Cheruto in 18:58.1 and Naomi Chepkwemoi in 19:07.3.
Masai took charge from the start, with Cheruto trailing throughout.
“I’m proud to win my first event outside Kenya. The weather was a bit hotter than where we train at home. I’m very happy my teammates took all the top six positions,” said Masai.
Millicent Chepkonga (19:09.3), Faith Jeptumo (19:29.2) and Celestine Mantaine (20:05.7) completed the Kenyan sweep in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
In the primary schools’ category, Ruth Chemei led another 1-6 Kenyan sweep in the girls’ 2km race.
Chemei won gold in 6:05.5, followed by Pheline Chepkwemoi in 6:08.0 and Rehema Chepkorir in 6:09.5.
In the boys’ 4km race, Abraham Kibet won gold in 11:09.2, beating compatriot Davins Kiprono to second place in 11:20.4. Solomon Kibet of Tecla Lorupe finished third in 11:22.7.
