Steeplechasers Serem, Kosgei fired up for Lima World U-20 Championships

Edmond Serem and Mathew Kosgei, who secured silver and bronze at the Africa Senior Championships in Cameroon, are now aiming for their first global titles at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships, scheduled for August 27-31 in Lima, Peru.

Edmund will be banking on his experience to ensure that he bags the 3,000m steeplechase global title like his elder brother Amos Serem, did during the U-20 event held at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani, Nairobi in 2021.  

“There is little pressure but I believe in myself and I intend to run my own race. If all goes well, I believe I will come back as the world U20 champion. I have been dreaming and thinking of being the champion, I watched the national anthem being played in honor of my brother and I felt very proud,” said Edmond 

The 18-year-old Edmond is ready for this his third assignment for Kenya having received tips and trained with his role model, two-time Olympic and four-time world champion Ezekiel Kembo;i whom he used watch compete as a young boy with his father.  

“My dad used to encourage Amos and I, he would tell us that the race looks good and we can perform well.  We loved watching Ezekiel Kemboi and Brimin Kipruto compete and it encouraged and pushed us into steeplechase event,” he added. 

Though he did not make the cut for Team Kenya for the Paris Olympics Games, he hopes that he will be able to compete with his brother during next year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. 

His partner, Kosgei will be hoping to continue his father’s legacy William Chemitei, who won the title back in Sudbury, Canada in 1988 and represented Kenya during the 1987 and 1989 World Cross Country Championships (won gold for team).  

Seeing his father’s medals proudly displayed at home motivated and pushed him into the 3,000m steeplechase event. 

“I have competed with Serem in Cameroon, it was easy for us to team up and bring the medals home and that is what we have been working on to ensure its our national anthem that is being played,” said Kosgei. 

Kosgei who trains in Iten, is looking forward to bag a medal, banking on team work they are fine-tuning with Edmond, to ensure they reclaim the title from Ethiopia who took it during Cali U-20 Championships in 2022.