Zeddy Jesire  traces her love for jumping to growing up in Baringo County. The youngster learned to jump across deep gullies and trenches common in her home area. 

The girl from Akonwonin village, Barwesa, Baringo County, will be flying Kenya’s flag in two events, high jump and triple jump as the country’s sole representative during the World Athletics Under-20 Championships from August 18-22 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Jesire jumped 1.68m against the qualifying mark of 1.82m during the national trials held at Kasarani early last month.

“I have more love for high jump because I have won a medal in the discipline. I bagged bronze at the East Africa Secondary School Games in 2018 in Rwanda and another bronze in the same Games in 2019 in Tanzania,” she explained.

Ahead of facing heavyweights in Nairobi, Jesire, who recently  graduated  from AIC Cheptonon Secondary School, wants to showcase the country’s potential in field events.

“My target is to perform well despite the stiff competition expected from other tough opponents. The competition will give me exposure,” said.

The women’s high jump contest at the World Under 20 Championships has attracted a stellar field.

Jesire will face off with Belgium’s Merel Maes and France’s Laureen Maxwell who have both jumped 1.91m this year. Maes, 16, secured her second national title and also has an outdoor best jump of 1.88m.

Jesire will also represent Kenya in the long jump in which she will compete against Colombia’s Natalia Linares Gonzalez (6.33m), Brazilians Lissandra Maysa Campos (6.45), Giovana Corradi (6.15) and Italy’s Arriana Battistella (6.55m) among others.