Swift Vincent Kipyegon comes of age at Nyayo

Vincent Kipyegon of South Rift (left) leads Nixon Kiplagat of Nairobi during the 2000m Steeplechase finals national trials for the Africa Youth Championship on April 1, 2015 at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The 17-year-old pre-race favourite clocked 5 minutes 28.2 seconds
  • Kenya won 11 medals, five gold, four silver and two bronze to finish fourth at the inaugural Africa Youth Championships held 2013 in Warri, Nigeria.
  • Davis Kiplagat prevailed in the men’s 3,000m race in 7:53.6, beating Richard Yator in 7:53.7 as they both qualified.

Vincent Kipyegon Ruto lived up to his billing to win the men’s 2,000m steeplechase final and qualify for the Africa Youth Championships during the trials at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old pre-race favourite clocked 5 minutes 28.2 seconds to triumph and sound a warning ahead of the continental championships due April 23-26 in Mauritius.

Kipyegon, who hails from South Rift, said the victory had inspired him to go for glory at the Indian Ocean Island and atone for the heartbreak during the Africa Junior Championships where he finished fourth in the 3,000m steeplechase a fortnight ago in Ethiopia.
Also to qualify in the race was Nairobi’s Nixon Kiplagat who finished three seconds later in 5:30.0 while Geoffrey Rotich finished third, but failed to make the cut in 5:33.6.

Kipyegon and Kiplagat are looking forward to uphold Kenya’s dominance over the race and follow the footsteps of the inaugural 2013 winner Edwin Melly.

“I didn’t feel well finishing outside the medal bracket at the junior event but I am determined to rectify that,” said Kipyegon, who trains in Bomett under John Kimetto, the team manager for Team Kenya from the just held World Cross Country Championships in China.

GOLD RUSH

After winning bronze in 3,000m at the Africa Junior Championships, Sandra Chebet (South Rift) will be aiming to strike gold in Mauritius after she won the women’s 2,000m steeplechase race. She clocked 6:26.0 to edge out second-placed Ann Gathoni (Coast, 6:28.6).

Kenya won 11 medals, five gold, four silver and two bronze to finish fourth at the inaugural Africa Youth Championships held 2013 in Warri, Nigeria.

Athletics Kenya vice president Jackson Tuwei said they have named a squad of 22 athletes that will proceed for residential training on Tuesday next week in Nairobi ahead of departure on April 21.

Betty Chepkemoi (South Rift), who finished fourth at the Africa Junior Championships, will be the country’s sole representative in women’s 800m after winning the trials in 2:06.0.

“I just want to redeem the country’s image in the event after we failed to win a medal at the Africa junior, “said Chepkemoi.

Kipyegon Bett (South Rift) won the men’s two-lap race in 1:48.1 to qualify alongside second-placed Sila Meli (North Rift) 1:48.8.

After failing to make the junior team for the World Cross Country, Emily Chebet, was in top form to make it to Mauritius in women’ 3,000m. The Nairobi-based athlete clocked 9:14.4 to win and qualify alongside Sheila Chelangat, who wound second in 9:20.4.

Davis Kiplagat prevailed in the men’s 3,000m race in 7:53.6, beating Richard Yator in 7:53.7 as they both qualified.

Brimin Kiprono (3:43.4) and Kimaru Tarus (3:43.6) qualified in men’s 1,500m after finishing first and second respectively while Janeth Chepng’etich won the women’s race in 4:13.8. Joyce Chepkirui, who wound second in 4:15.6, was disqualified to hand Sandra Chebet another opportunity. Chebet won the 2,000m steeplechase.

TEAM LIST

100m: Aron Kimutai Tum (men)

200m : Damaris Okoth (women), Markson Sirere (men)

400m: Jane Njoki, Purity Chepkoech (women); Jasphat Ng’eno, Patrick Mutie (Men)

800m: Betty Chepkemoi( women); Kipyegon Bett, Sila Meli (men)

1,500m: Janeth Chepng’etich, Sandra Chebet (Women); Brimin Kiprono, Kimaru Tarus (men)

2,000m steeplechase: Sandra Chebet, Ann Gathoni (Women); Vicent Kipyegon, Nixon Kiplagat (Men)

3,000m: Emily Chebet, Sheila Chelangat (Women); Davis Kiplagat, Rochard Yator (Men)

Coaches: Esther Kavaya, Paul Kipkemboi Kemoi

Team manager: Paul Keriako; Chaperone: Matilda Soi; Physio: Kevin Otieno.