Kipng’etich, Kipyegon cruise to victory in Mauritius
What you need to know:
- Perhaps the most celebrated victory was by Geoffrey Kipng’etich, who clocked 52.29 seconds to claim gold in the boys’ 400m hurdles final.
- Kipyegon crossed the line in a championship record time of 5:36.43 ahead of Kiplagat in 5:40.72.
- Edwin Melly won the inaugural 2013 event in 5:42.18.
Kenya bagged three gold medals, five silvers and a bronze as the second Africa Athletics Youth Championships entered its second day in Bambous, Mauritius on Friday.
That brought the tally to four gold, six silver and one bronze medals after Emily Chebet led Sheila Chelangat for as 1-2 sweep in girls’ 3,000m on the opening day on Thursday.
Perhaps the most celebrated victory was by Geoffrey Kipng’etich, who clocked 52.29 seconds to claim gold in the boys’ 400m hurdles final. Kipng’etich’s compatriot Emmanuel Kipyegon settled for bronze in 53.52. The event featured for the first time in the championships.
Vincent Kipyegon ensured Kenya retained the boys’ 2,000m steeplechase title in a championship record time with Nixon Kiplagat claiming silver.
Kipyegon crossed the line in a championship record time of 5:36.43 ahead of Kiplagat in 5:40.72. Edwin Melly won the inaugural 2013 event in 5:42.18.
Kimaru Tarus glided to victory in the boys’ 1,500m in a championship record time of 3:41.36, beating the previous time by Robert Biwott (3:41.96). Brimin Kiprono, who won the Kenyan trials, ensured a 1-2 finish with silver in 3:44.56.
Kenya failed to capture the girls’ 800m title settling for silver as the country achieved similar results in girls 100m and boys 400m finals. Betty Chepkemoi returned 2:10.11 to lose the 800m battle to South Africa’s Liza Kellerman, who clocked 2:09.26.
Damaris Akoth won silver in girls’ 100m with a time of 11.85, finishing behind South African Nicola de Bruyn in 11.10. Jaspher Ng’eno collected silver in the 400m after coming home in 47.85.
MORE EVENTS
In Saturday’s programme, Davis Kiplagat and Richard Yator will battle in the boys’ 3,000m final. They will be trying to claim the title that was won by Nftalem Kibrab Awet from Eritrea in 2013. Kenya’s Edwin Melly, who won steeplechase title in 2013, settled for silver with Meshack Letim going for bronze in the 3,000m final.
Damaris Akoth will be eying to add another medal to her 100m silver when she fields in the 200m first round. Mark Sirere will also take the track in the boys’ 200m first round races.
Janeth Chepng’etich and Sandra Chebet will be seeking to qualify for the girls 1,500m final. Kenya won silver in the previous event through Eva Cherono.
