Two high-jumpers qualify for World Under-20 tourney

Nairobi’s Zeddy Chesire and US-based Sid Imani Varland have both qualified to represent Kenya in high jump at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships to be held in Nairobi between August 17 and 22.

Chesire beat Switzerland-based Dar-Ziv Nyah Jemeli in a tie-break to win after they each scaled 1.68m.

Despite missing the qualification mark of 1.82m,  Kenya as the host nation is allowed to field at least one representative in events that they fail to meet qualification mark.

Chesire cleared all her jumps at 1.50m, 1.55m, 1.60m, 1.65 and 1.68m respectively, during yesterday’s day one of the national trials at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

However, Jemeli failed on her first attempt at 1.65m before succeeding on her second attempt.

That is what saw her lose to Chesire who settled for bronze at the East Africa Secondary School Games in 2018 in Rwanda and bronze at similar Games in 2019 in Tanzania.

“It has always been my desire to represent Kenya at the highest level possible and I thank God this is the beginning,” said Chesire.

“My focus now is to finish on the podium. I believe in my training under coach Sammy Too and I know the future is bright,” said Chesire, who has just cleared her Secondary School at AIC Cheptonon.

Dar-Ziv Nyah Jemeli also hoping she will be considered in team Kenyan when the global event is held next month.

“I hope I will be selected to represent Kenya  at the world under 20 event. I have not attained the  qualification standards but I am hopeful of better performance in future,” she said 

In the men category  it was one show affair with Varland showing huge potential in after his closest competitors failed to match up. He cleared 2.04m missing the automatic mark of 2.16m.

“I am disappointed I came short of the qualifying mark today having jumped 2.04m but I believe I can do more.

Initially I used to compete in sprints before I developed passion in High jump when I made a visit to the US,” said Varland.