Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has hailed Kenya’s junior stars for their performance at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru.

Murkomen in a statement shared via his official X account on Saturday, August 31, 2024, said the junior starts have so far won Kenyan a total of five medals.

Murkomen on Sarah Moraa

The former Roads and Transport CS in his statement congratulated Sarah Moraa for adding gold to Kenya’s medal count, after winning the 800 meters final in a Friday night race.

Sarah Moraa dominated the 800m race, clocking an impressive 2:00.36 to secure the gold medal for Kenya. 

Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth took the silver with a time of 2:00.87, while the United States’ Sophia Gorriaran claimed bronze, finishing in 2:01.04.

“It’s Moraa’s moment. Kenya’s Sarah Moraa leads the 800m from gun to tape and powers to gold with 2:00.36. Claudia Hollingsworth second, Sophia Gorriaran third,” World Athletics announced in a statement shared via X.

With this victory, Sarah is now firmly positioned as a rising star. In the Friday night victory, she led the race from the start to the finish.

Murkomen also congratulated Marion Jepng’etich for winning silver in women’s 3000m race.

“Congratulations to our junior stars for winning us more medals in the ongoing World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru. Sarah Moraa (gold-800m) and Marion Jepng’etich (silver- 3000m) showed steely determination, bringing our total medal count to five so far (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze). Big up, the world is your oyster,” Murkomen stated.

Kenya’s Dennis Kipkoech grabbed a silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase for men as Diana Chepkemoi won a bronze in the women’s category of the World U20 Championships in a final run on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Murkomen on Faith Kipyegon

Murkomen went ahead to congratulate Faith Kipyegon for winning gold in women’s 1500m race in the Diamond League event in Rome.

“Kudos, too, to Faith Kipyegon for putting up a spectacular performance in the women’s 1500m race in the Diamond League event in Rome. Your win and confidence left no room for doubt that you are the queen of this race. We’re very proud of you. Keep winning!” Murkomen posted.

Congratulations to our junior stars for winning us more medals in the ongoing World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru. Sarah Moraa (gold-800m) and Marion Jepng'etich (silver- 3000m) showed steely determination, bringing our total medal count to five so far (2 gold, 2… pic.twitter.com/H8vO2ubv6a

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) August 31, 2024

Faith Kipyegon extended her winning streak on the global stage after clinching the Rome Diamond League meeting.

Kipyegon clocked 3:52.89 in the 1500m race to claim victory.

The 30-year-old finished the race ahead of Freweyni Hailu who clocked 3:54.16 and Birke Haylom, 3:54.79, who are both from Ethiopia.