Kenya’s next generation of athletes made a significant impact at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, as they secured multiple medals across various events, affirming the country’s position as a powerhouse in track and field.

The penultimate day of the competition saw Sarah Moraa and Marion Jepngetich bring home gold and silver, respectively. Moraa, the reigning African 800m champion, continued her dominant form by taking gold in the 800m race. She led from the start and crossed the finish line in 2:00.36, leaving Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth (2:00.87) and the USA’s Sophia Gorriaran (2:01.04) in her wake to take silver and bronze.

Moraa expressed her delight after the race, stating that the victory has boosted her confidence as she looks ahead to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

“I’m ecstatic to have won my first-ever gold at a world championship in my debut appearance. This win is a huge confidence booster, and I’m eager to continue training as I prepare for the World Championships,” said Moraa, who trains under the guidance of coach Alex Sang.

Reflecting on her race strategy, Moraa explained that she prefers leading from the front, a lesson she learned from watching Faith Kipyegon at the Paris Olympics.

“I prefer running at the front to avoid crowded situations. Today, I wasn’t sure if I would win gold, but I’m thrilled to have made my country proud. I wanted a clear path after seeing what happened at the Olympics when many athletes fell. Missing the Olympics was tough, but I’m committed to training hard to qualify early for the next major global event,” Moraa added.

In the 3,000m race, Marion Jepngetich secured a silver medal for Kenya, finishing with a time of 8:52.37. She was edged out for the gold by Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke, who clocked 8:50.32, while Ethiopia’s Marta Alemayo took the bronze in 8:53.64. Jepngetich, though aiming for gold, was pleased with her silver medal finish.

“Our training time was limited, especially with the semifinals taking place yesterday in the rain, but I’m happy to have secured a medal today,” Jepngetich said.

Meanwhile, race favourite Mercy Chepkemoi faced disappointment, finishing 9th with a time of 9:10.54.

“My competitors had better times going into the race, and my goal was to run my own race,” Chepkemoi reflected after the race.

The final day of the championships brought more success for Kenya as Edmund Serem and Matthew Kosgei delivered outstanding performances in the 3,000m steeplechase, earning gold and silver, respectively.

Serem, who had previously claimed a silver medal at the Africa Athletics Championships, upgraded his performance to take gold in Lima. He clocked 8:15.28, leading a Kenyan 1-2 finish, with Kosgei achieving a personal best of 8:17.46 to take silver. Ethiopia’s Hailu Ayalew completed the podium, securing bronze with a personal best of 8:24.08.

Serem, hailing from a family known for its steeplechase prowess, expressed his joy at continuing the family legacy. His brother, Amos Serem, won gold in the same event at the 2021 championships.

“As the team captain, I had to lead by example, especially with our event being on the last day. The team performed admirably, and as the championships draw to a close, we are motivated to work hard and focus on the 2028 Olympic Games,” Serem said.

Proud of his family’s steeplechase heritage, Serem added, “We can now be considered a ‘steeplechase family.’ I’m thrilled because our success is the result of hard work and dedication. My father has been a great motivator, encouraging me to follow in my brother Amos’s footsteps.”

Kosgei echoed his teammate’s sentiments, attributing his silver medal finish to the support he receives from his parents, both of whom were athletes in their prime.

“I’m overjoyed to have won silver in such a competitive race. I’m grateful to Serem for pushing me, and I’m committed to training hard for future competitions now that I’ve completed my junior events. I know my father is proud, as he always encouraged me to work hard, and I’ve delivered,” Kosgei said.

In Kenya’s final event of the championships, Josphat Kipkirui finished just off the podium in 4th place in the 1,500m with a time of 3:43.20. Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa won the race with a time of 3:40.51, followed by Australia’s Cameron Myers (3:40.60) and Spain’s Alex Pintado (3:41.03), who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.

Earlier in the day, Kenya’s Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka and Miriam Chemutai Kibet competed in the women’s 1,500m, finishing 10th and 14th, respectively, with times of 4:22.60 and 4:26.80. Ethiopia’s Saron Berhe took gold in 4:14.64, with Canada’s Rachel Forsyth (4:17.94) and Germany’s Jolanda Kallabis (4:19.34) completing the podium.