Kenyas athletes harvest medals in Abidjan

Kenya got off to a flying start at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships in Abidjan, Ivory Coast with Vincent Keter opening Kenya’s medal haul striking gold in the U-18 1,500m after clocking 3 minutes 40.28 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Fentahun Gezahignyihun who bagged silver in 3:43:64 . Another Kenyan, Peter Wangari settled for bronze in 3:45.50.

Bravin Kiptoo, the younger brother of World U-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto clinched gold in boy’s 10,000m after clocking 28:17.06 ahead of Uganda’s Samuel Kibet who came in second in 28:22.26. Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir closed the podium in 28:26.46.

In the U-20 girls’ 3,000m, Emmaculate Anyango bagged silver after finishing second in 9:36.0, behind Ethiopia’s Tariru Alamitu (9.33.53).

Janet Nyiva took silver in the girls under-18 1,500m after clocking 4:20.43, behind Morocco’s Meryem Azrour who was timed at 4:20.14.

In the 1,500m U-20 girls, Kenya’s Edna Jebitok clinched silver in 4:13.20 with Mercyline Cherono also bagging a bronze in the race after clocking 4:15.95. Ethiopia’s Diribe Kejelcha won the race in 4:11.59.

Zena Yego added another gold medal in the girls U-18 3,000m crossing the finish line in 9:13.23 ahead of compatriot Deborah Chemutai who took silver in 9:13.42.

There were more medals in store for Kenya as Linda Kageha also won silver in the girls U-18 400m after clocking 52.52, coming in second after Nigeria’s Favour Ofili who clocked 52.28.

The five-day event brings together two competitions – the Under-18 and Under-20 championships – for both boys and girls.