Kenya’s young athletes rule continental track in Abeokuta, Nigeria
By Bosco Magare, July 21, 2025Kenya’s next generation of athletics stars lit up the upgraded MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Nigeria, storming to an impressive 23-medal haul, including 10 glittering golds, to outshine continental rivals at the 3rd Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Under-18 and Under-20 championships, which started on July 16 and ended on July 20, 2025.
During the five-day CAA U-18 and U-20 championships, Kenya clinched six gold medals in the U-18 category and another four gold medals in the U-20 events, represented by both male and female athletes.
The country’s upcoming youthful athletes won seven silver medals in U-18 events and two silver medals in the U-20 races, including one and three bronze medals in the two categories, respectively, as Kenya scooped a cumulative 23 medals on the fourth day of the championship on Saturday, July 19.
Joint U-18 and U-20 contingent, led by team leader Elizabeth Keitany and team manager Joseph Ilovi, shared the results during an interview on July 20, 2025, with People Sports from Abeokuta.
Dennis Kemboi clinched a gold medal in the men’s U-20 5,000m race on the fourth day of the championship, which featured athletes from 25 other African countries.
In the women’s U-18 category, 3000m race, Cynthia Chepkirui replicated Dennis Kemboi’s triumph by bagging a gold medal too.
Emmanuel Kipkorir also won gold in the men’s 3000m event, while teammate Lawi Kiplagat finished first in the men’s 1500m race and claimed gold alongside Caren Chipchirchir, who posted similar results in the women’s 1500m event.
Defending champions in the U-18 category secured more gold medals, with Lemiso Emmanuel winning the 2000m men’s race and Simeon Araka wrapping up the country’s golden victories by winning the 400m men’s event.
Robert Sang settled for bronze in the same race, while Brian Ngetich scooped gold in the men’s 2000m race, and Kevin Biwott also breasted the tape first to claim gold.
Spectacular performances were also recorded by Kenya’s athletics contingent, with Aluvi Clinton sprinting to victory in the men’s 100m race and Annatasha Chemkemoi bagging gold in the women’s 3000M steeplechase event.
In the women’s U-20 3,000m steeplechase, Mercy Chepngeno won silver, while Owan Logorodi finished second in the men’s category to also claim silver.