Rogers Kwemoi wins 10,000m gold in Poland
Rogers Kwemoi (right) celebrates with head coach Robert Ngisirei after winning the 10,000m gold at the World under-20 Championships on July 19, 2016 at the at the Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |
What you need to know:
- Kwemoi and compatriot Ronald Kiprotich injected high pace into the race as Kwemoi went on to atone for his 10th place finish at the World Cross Country Championships last year in China with victory.
IN BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND
Kenya’s Rogers Kwemoi braved a lower back injury to reclaim the World Under-20 Championships 10,0000m title with a championship record time of 27 minutes and 25.23 seconds at the at the Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on Tuesday.
Kwemoi and compatriot Ronald Kiprotich injected high pace into the race as Kwemoi went on to atone for his 10th place finish at the World Cross Country Championships last year in China with victory.
It’s at the same venue where another Kenyan, Josphat Bett, set a championship record time of 27:30.85 when winning the 10,000m title during the 2008 Championship.
“It feels great not only to reclaim the title in a record time but also atone for the performance at the World Cross Country,” said Kwemoi, who exchanged leads with Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo and Eritrea’s Aron Kifle before outsprinting the duo in the last 300m.
“It’s the same injury that led to a bad show at the World Cross but I couldn’t let it interfere again,” added Kwemoi, who reclaimed the title won by Uganda Joshua Cheptengei in 2014 Eugene, USA. Kifle settled for silver in 27:26.20 as Uganda’s Kiplimo settled for bronze in 27:26.68.
MAUREEN THOMAS THROUGH
Earlier, Kenya’s Maureen Thomas eased to victory in the women’s 400m heats, clocking 53.04 second to storm Wednesday’s semi-final.
Maureen Thomas reacts after her 400m heat victory at the World Under-20 Championships at the Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on July 19, 2016. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Thomas, the East African 200m and 400m champion, underscored her pedigree with ease on the outer lane, edging out McDonald Natasha from Canada to second place in a personal best 53.62 as German Richter Hendrikie wrapped up the qualifying slots in the first heat in 53.67.
“The weather was cool and warm making the race superb,” said Thomas, who reached the semi-finals of the Africa Championships last month in South Africa.
“The semi-finals is where the battle lies hence I want to clear that hurdle and focus on the final God willing.”
However, Thomas’ teammate Jane Njoki failed to qualify after she finished seventh in the fifth heat in 57.13.
“It was a good effort but I have to go back and work on my endurance after I struggled in the last 20 metres,” said Njoki, the form three student at Kagondo High School in Nyahururu.
Njoki represented Kenya at the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia last year, where she reached the semi-finals before winning silver in 400m at the East and Central Africa Junior Championships in May this year. “The experience I am gaining is vital,” said Njoki.
