Faith Rono leads Kenya's golden charge as young stars shine at Dakar Youth Olympics

Uganda’s Keren Chelimo completed the podium, clocking a season’s best of 9:32.41 to take bronze.

The victory further underlined Kenya’s enduring strength in distance running, with Rono emerging as one of the country's promising young prospects following her triumph at the global youth competition.

Her gold medal came just minutes after compatriot Kiplagat had also delivered a podium finish in the men’s 2000m steeplechase, ensuring Kenya enjoyed another productive evening on the athletics track.

Kiplagat clocked a personal best of 5:36.28 to take silver behind Ethiopia’s Junedin Abdo, who produced an equally impressive performance to win in 5:29.30, also a personal best.

Uganda’s Michael Kibet completed the podium in third place after stopping the clock at 5:39.50, another personal best, in a race that saw all three medallists produce outstanding performances.

The two athletics medals added to Kenya’s growing collection at the Dakar Games, taking the country's tally to at least five medals following the earlier successes of its young athletes.

Kenya’s campaign had gathered momentum through the national junior women’s rugby sevens team, who made history by defeating Australia 17-12 to become the first Kenyan team to win an Olympic medal.

The rugby triumph provided an early boost to the country's campaign before athletics continued to deliver on the international stage.

Rono’s victory and Kiplagat’s silver also reinforced Kenya’s reputation as a powerhouse in middle- and long-distance running, with the performances offering an encouraging glimpse into the country's future athletics talent.