Kiprono, Chepkurui shine as U20 trials roar to life at Nyayo Stadium

Kiprono underlined his growing reputation after storming to victory in the men’s 3,000m final to secure his place for the World U20 Championships set for August 4–9 in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

The Kimuron Secondary School student controlled the race from gun to tape, gliding effortlessly to the finish line in 7:35.40 as he stamped his authority at the national trials.

Elkanah Edwin Sanutia from Chepyuk, Mt Elgon, came home second in 7:59.6 as the top two booked places to Oregon, while Kabartonjo’s Enock Tuitoek settled for third in 8:01.0.

Fresh from his silver medal heroics at the World Cross Country Championships, Kiprono believes bigger things lie ahead as he now shifts focus to the global stage.

“I feel good. I had trained well, so I thank God for the win. Today saw that I ran a good time. Last time when we competed here at the Kip Keino Classic, I won with 7:45, but today it was a bit lower, down to 7:35. Now we are heading to America, and I have set my time target there. I want to aim for 7:10,” said Kiprono.

Kiprono and Sanutia are set to double up in Saturday’s 5,000m final, where a blockbuster clash awaits against 2024 Lima World U20 Championships medallists Andrew Alamisi and Frankline Kibet.

The showdown is expected to renew their fierce rivalry from the World Athletics Cross Country Championships earlier this year, where Alamisi claimed gold and Kibet bronze in the junior race.

“My plan is simple, to trail them to eight laps, then anything can happen,” added the tactical Kiprono.

In the women’s 5,000m final, Lemotit Athletics Club’s fast-rising distance runner Cynthia Chepkurui delivered a commanding performance to storm to victory in 15:24.4 ahead of Joyline Chepkemoi 15:37.8 and Mercy Mageso 15:54.8.

Chepkurui now heads to Oregon dreaming of global glory after comfortably dipping under the World U20 qualifying mark of 16:25.00.

“I am going to focus on speed work, so that when I go to Oregon, I can go and fight to bring home gold. I have faith I will bring it,” said an optimistic Chepkurui.

Away from the finals, the middle distance semi finals also produced fireworks ahead of day two.

In the women’s 1,500m semi finals, Magnolia Athletics Club’s Josephine Sembeyo Mancha posted the fastest time of the day after winning semifinal two in 4:18.26 ahead of Judy Chepkoech 4:20.26 and Sheila Chepngeno 4:24.75.

Semifinal one saw St Louis student Caren Chepchirchir Serem cruise to victory in 4:22.87, leading Abigael Chepkurui 4:23.90 and Milcent Jepkonga Kipyekomen 4:24.95 into the final.

The men’s 1,500m semifinals also lived up to expectations, with Wilson Chepkwech from Kimuron Secondary School storming to the fastest overall time of 3:42.34 in semifinal two ahead of David Kapaiko 3:43.92 and Perminus Tinega 3:45.65.

Brivon Kiptoo Koech claimed semifinal one in 3:46.73, edging Felix Muthiani 3:47.18 as Lawi Kiplagat Ngetich sealed third in 3:48.06.

In the women’s 800m semifinals, Nancy Kibet underlined her title ambitions after dominating semifinal one in 2:09.95 ahead of Joan Jeruto 2:13.22 and Dorcus Chepkemoi 2:13.48.

The men’s 800m battle is also shaping into one of the races to watch after Collins Tajewou Tentera narrowly edged Nashon Pkiach in semifinal one, clocking 1:49.49 against 1:49.52 in one of the closest finishes of the day.