Moraa, Manangoi seal World U-20 places

World Under-18 1500m champion George Manangoi (right) and Justus Soget celebrate after they qualified for World Under-20 Championships. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |

What you need to know:

  • Soget clocked 3:37.79, beating Manangoi (Nairobi) to second.
  • Soget, a form four student at Kirobon High School, is looking forward to winning gold won by compatriot Kumari Talk in 2016.

World Under-18 400m silver medallist Mary Moraa easily won the women's 400m race to secure her place in the World Under-20 Championships due July 10 to 15 in Tampere, Finland.

World Under-18 1,500m bronze medallist Edinah Jebitok and 2016 Africa Under-20 Cross Country champion Miriam Cherop claimed a 1-2 finish in the women's 1,500m to qualify for the World event, as Justus Soget and World Under-18 1500m champion George Manangoi prevailed in the men's 1,500m to also make the team.

Moraa clocked 54.94 seconds to triumph, beating the qualifying standard time of 55.00 seconds during the final day of the two-day trials at the Kasarani Stadium.

Moraa, who rallied from behind to take the lead just after the 200m mark to win, is the only qualifier after second-placed Grace Nyakai (Central) timed 56.75.

"The battle was tight but my joy is that I made it. I won't just go to Tampere to add on the numbers, I am targeting a medal," said Moraa, a Form four student at Mogonga High School.

World Under-18 400m silver medallist Mary Moraa (centre) speaks to journalists after she won the 400m during the World Under-20 Championships trials at the Kasarani Stadium on June 12, 2018. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Jebitok (South Rift) clocked 4:11.00 as Cherono returned 4:11.06 to qualify.

"I am maturing well and I hope for the best in Finland," said Jebitok.

"I shall need to plan well and reach the final first because the semi-finals are always tricky," said the class seven pupil at Keringet Primary School.

Soget clocked 3:37.79, beating Manangoi (Nairobi) to second.

Soget, a form four student at Kirobon High School, is looking forward to winning gold won by compatriot Kumari Talk in 2016.

"I will do some polishing especially the last 300m before the championships," said Soget.