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Amos Abuga @Amokc1001

Athletics Kenya on Saturday  picked 44 athletes to represent the country at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships that will be held on August 17-22 in Nairobi.

The 24 men and 20 women will represent Kenya across 22 disciplines for both genders as well as the mixed relay.

The selection criteria of the first two to cross the finish line was followed by the latter.

AK, however, invoked World Athletics rule that allows  the host nation to field one athlete in the events they have not attained  the qualification time. This happened in all field events and selected sprints events.

One of the standouts during the three day trials is Zeddy Chesire, one of the two athletes who will double during the championships. 

Chesire who bagged bronze at the East Africa Secondary School Games in 2018 in Rwanda and bronze at similar Games in 2019 in Tanzania will represent Kenya in high jump and triple Jump.

“High jump is my favourite of the two events. My focus  is to finish on the podium.

I am young and willing to learn, that is why I believe my future is bright,” said Chesire who recently cleared her secondary school education at AIC Cheptonon High school in Nandi County.

“It has been my desire to represent Kenya at the highest level possible. I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity to commence my journey,” she disclosed.

Also to double is hurdler Agnes Ngumbi in 100m and 400m hurdles.

The naming of the team was the culmination of a three-day trials event that concluded on Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Stadium. 

AK president Jackson Tuwei is confident that selected athletes will put on a great show to defend the overall title from Tampere, Finland in 2018.

“We are confident we have selected a very strong team that will defend the title we won three years ago.

However, I want to urge athletes to prepare adequately for the competition,” said Tuwei.