Andrew Alamisi wins gold in World U20 Championship 5000 metres
By Amanga Collins, August 28, 2024
Kenya’s Andrew Alamisi has clinched the gold medal in the men’s 5000 meters at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.
The men’s 5000m race was a gripping contest that saw a dramatic sprint finish. With seven athletes tightly packed as they approached the final lap, Alamisi surged ahead on the final turn, demonstrating exceptional speed and endurance.
Andrew Alamisi finishing
He crossed the finish line in 13:41.14, narrowly ahead of Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa, who finished in 13:41.56, and Uganda’s Keneth Kiprop, who clocked 13:41.73.
A final lap of a 5000m doesn't get much better than this 👀
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 28, 2024
🇰🇪's Andrew Alamisi kicks to the gold 🙌#WorldAthleticsU20 pic.twitter.com/9pIw7SORCY
Alamisi, who previously earned silver in both the 1500 meters and 3000 meters at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, trains in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya, under the guidance of coach Erick Kogo. He is an alumnus of St. Peter’s Keberesi Secondary School in Kisii County.
In the women’s 5000 meters, Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa delivered a standout performance, successfully defending her title with a record-breaking time.
Eisa finished in 14:39.71, shattering the previous championship record of 15:08.01 set by Genzebe Dibaba in 2010. Eisa and her compatriot Mekedes Alemeshete dominated the race from the start, establishing a substantial lead.
Eisa breakthrough
Eisa broke away in the final laps to secure gold, making it the eighth time Ethiopia has won the women’s 5000m title in the last nine editions.
In the mixed 4x400m relay final, Australia showcased their prowess, with Jordan Gilbert, Bella Pasquali, Jack Deguara, and Sophia Gregorevic leading the race to victory in an Oceanian record time of 3:19.27.
Poland secured the silver medal with a time of 3:20.44, while China claimed bronze with a strong final leg from Liu Yinglan, finishing in 3:21.27.