Emmanuel Kiprono, Cynthia Chepkurui dominate as World U20 trials begin at Nyayo
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 22.05.26. | 20:05
The trials are aimed at selecting Kenya’s team for the World Athletics U20 Championships set for August 2 to 9 in Eugene, USA
World Under-20 Cross Country silver medallist Emmanuel Kiprono and African U18 3,000m champion Cynthia Chepkurui delivered commanding performances on day one of the Athletics Kenya World U20 Championship Trials at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, 22 May.
The trials are aimed at selecting Kenya’s team for the World Athletics U20 Championships set for August 2 to 9 in Eugene, USA.
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Under the selection criteria, winners in each event secure automatic qualification, while a panel of judges selects the second athlete.
Kiprono produced a dominant display in the men’s 3,000m final, storming to victory in 7:35.4, well inside the qualifying standard of 8:04.00 for Eugene.
Elkanah Sanutia also achieved the entry mark after clocking 7:59.6, while Enock Tuitoek completed the podium in 8:01.0.
The performance marked another milestone for Kiprono, who is set for his second appearance in national colours after representing Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, earlier this year.
In Tallahassee, the youngster clocked 23:20 to claim silver in an all-Kenyan podium sweep behind champion Frankline Kibet and ahead of bronze medallist Andrew Alamisi.
Kiprono credited his impressive run at Nyayo Stadium to thorough preparations.
“I had trained very well for this race. At the finish line, I felt my body was in good shape,” he said.
The St. Francis Kimuron student revealed he decided to inject pace into the race after noticing a slow start.
“I saw the group was not moving fast, so I decided to push the field,” he added.
Despite earning silver at the World Cross Country Championships, Kiprono believes he still has more to achieve on the international stage.
“I got silver at the World Cross Country, and I knew I had a lot more in the tank, but I was still not satisfied.”
Now under the guidance of coach Boniface Limo, the youngster has his sights firmly set on gold in Eugene.
“I want to go to America and come back with gold so that my Kenyan fans can be happy,” he said.
In the girls’ 5,000m final, Chepkurui also produced a statement performance, powering to victory in 15:24.4 to comfortably book her place for Eugene after surpassing the entry standard of 16:25.0.
African U20 3,000m bronze medallist Joyline Chepkemoi settled for second place in 15:37.8.
Chepkurui expressed delight after beginning her campaign on a high note.
“I am thankful I was able to finish the race in first position,” she said.
The youngster noted that her triumph at last year’s African championships has significantly boosted her confidence.
“I won gold in Africa, and that really motivated me and gave me morale.”
At the 2025 African U20 and U18 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Chepkurui clocked 9:26.35 to win the 3,000m title.
With the World Championships now in focus, she plans to sharpen her finishing speed as she targets global success.
“When I go back to camp, I want to focus on my speed so that I can come back with a gold medal,” she said.
Chepkemoi, who finished second in the fiercely contested race, admitted the battle was challenging but expressed satisfaction at securing a top-two finish.
“The race was tough, but I pushed myself. This is my last U20, so I am thankful to have finished in the top two,” she said.
The youngster is hoping to conclude her junior career with a memorable performance in Eugene.
Chepkemoi also paid tribute to world 5,000m and 10,000m champion Beatrice Chebet for mentoring and motivating her throughout her athletics journey.
“She has been advising me before my transition to seniors. She tells me that I need to put more effort into my senior career,” said Chepkemoi.
The trials conclude on Saturday, 23 May, with Athletics Kenya expected to unveil the final squad for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene.