News

World Athletics Under-20 Championships: Second gold for Kenya as Reynold Kipkorir storms to victory
Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot
Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot. PHOTO/Athletics Kenya/Facebook.

Listen to this article

Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Team Kenya have landed another impressive win in the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships after Reynold Kipkorir crossed the line first in the 1500m men’s finals.

Kipkorir clocked a time of 3:35.83 to win the gold medal after sizzling performance that left his challengers completely outpaced.

Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma came in second with 3:37.24 and another Kenyan, Daniel Kimaiyo finally closed the podium at 3:37.43 bagging the bronze medal.

“The race was so fine for me today, I could have handled any challenge,” said Cheruiyot. “I’m feeling so proud.”

The young Kenyan duo had actually slowed on the second lap, passing 800m in 1:55.93, and Adihana Kasaye of Ethiopia later on swept to the front with a little over a lap to run.

Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot:

Kipkorir soon attacked on the back straight as Kasaye held him off, but in the home straight the 18-year-old kicked it into overdrive and said a swift bye to his rivals, drawing a whopping 1.4 seconds clear to the finish line.

Under-20 World Athletics Championships
Reynold Kipkorir (Center) with his gold medal. PHOTO/Marta Gorczynska/World Athletics

Previously, Kipkorir had amazed the crowd at Cali, Colombia after destroying heat 2 in the first round with a time of 3:40.96 to secure the fastest time in all the heats.

Kipkorir now joins Betty Chelangat as the only Kenyan gold medalists so far in the youthful competitions.

Chelangat on Tuesday produced a powerful display to take Kenya’s first gold medal at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, winning the women’s 3000m ahead of Ethiopia’s Tsiyon Abebe and Kenya’s Nancy Cherop.

Chelangat stayed strong all the way to the finish, crossing the line in 9:01.03 ahead of Abebe (9:03.85) and Cherop (9:05.98).

“I train hard, and that’s why I win,” said Chelangat, who currently sharpens her already impressive talents in Iten under the guidance of coach John Litei. “I waited until three laps remaining, then I see that I have enough left. I thank God and also my coach.” Added Chelangat.

Team Kenya is now second in the medal rankings having won 4 medals in total; 2 gold medals and 2 bronze medals.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped
Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Ad

Secure your LPO financing.
sponsored by Stanbic Bank
Secure your LPO financing.

Latest News

More on News