Kiprotich and Kwemoi begin Kenya's hunt for medals
Ronald Kiprotich trains ahead of World Junior Championship 10 000m race on July 14, 2016, at CID training School, Nairobi on July 14,2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The race goes down at 9.30pm Kenyan time with other Kenyan juniors also in action in four other races of the day.
- Kiprotich will also be going for a better performance after winning silver in junior race at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- Kwemoi will be seeking to redeem his image after finishing 10th in junior race at last year’s World Cross Country Championships in Beijing.
Junior prodigies Rodgers Kwemoi and Ronald Kiprotich begin Kenya‘s medal hunt in men’s 10,000m final when the World Under-20 Championships gets underway at Zdzisaw Krzyszkowiak Stadium, Bydgosczc, Poland on Tuesday.
The race goes down at 9.30pm Kenyan time. Other Kenyan juniors will also be in action in four other races of the day.
The championships, formerly known as World Junior Championships, was moved from Kazan, Russia after the hosting rights were withdrawn following the suspension of the Russia Athletics Federation by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
This is the second time both Kwemoi and Kiprotich are representing Kenya. Kwemoi, who is based in Japan, will be seeking to redeem his image after finishing 10th in junior race at last year’s World Cross Country Championships in Beijing.
Keringet-based Kiprotich will also be going for a better performance after winning silver in junior race at the Africa Cross Country Championships held in March this year in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
“I had a slight back injury that worsened during the World Cross but now I am in great form. I am looking forward to a formidable partnership with my friend Kiprotich,” said Kwemoi.
The last Kenyan to win the event was Dennis Chepkogin during the 2010 Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada. He settled for silver and bronze in 2012 Barcelona and 2014 Eugene events.
“We are determined to bring back the title. We have trained well and are optimistic of a of 1-2 finish,” said Kiprotich.
The Kenyans face stiff challenge from their Ethiopian, Ugandan and Eritrean opponents.
WE FEAR NOBODY
The Ethiopian team has Gizachew Hailu and Amedework Walelegn while Jacob Kiplimo and Martin Naibei will represent Uganda. Naibei will double in men’s 5,000m. Eritrea have Kokob Abhreha and Magos Shumay.
World Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Cellphine Chespol will be the first Kenyan off the blocks in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase heats at 1:55pm.
Again, Ethiopia will be Kenyan’s main rivals. Asmarech Nega, who won the Ethiopian trials, and Agere Belachew are the athletes to watch in the opposite camp.
“We are well prepared. We fear nobody, not even the Kenyans who ran for other countries,” said Chespol.
Kenyan-born Ruth Jebet from Bahrain won the women’s 3,000m steeplechase title in 2014 at Eugene in the USA.
World Youth, Africa and Commonwealth Youth 1,500m champion Kumari Taki is aiming to sail through the heats with ease and set up a final race against compatriot Edwin Kiptoo. They hope to retain the title Jonathan Sawe won in 2014 in Eugene.
“I want to see how our rivals will run in the heats and, thereafter, plan for the tfinal,” said Taki.
Africa Youth 800m silver medallist Betty Chepkemoi and Josephine Jelagat will battle it out in the women’s 800m heats, while the regional 200m and 400m champion Maureen Thomas is set for the women’s 400m heats duel.
