Kenya U20 athletics team set to hit camp ahead of World Championship

Athletics Kenya (AK) has named a team of 46 member squad, 24 men and 22 women that will do duty as the country hosts the World Under-20 Athletics Championship which was postponed to this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Kenya, being the hosts will have a representative in each of the events expected to be held from August 17-22 at Kasarani. During the trails held at the same venue, the first two to cross the line got the tickets with the top finishers in events that Kenya failed to attain qualifying standards making cut. 

The team is expected in camp from July 15 for a month-long bubble training as AK look to defend the overall title the country when when the championship was last held in Tempere-Finland back in 2018. Kenya managed 11 medals, six gold, four silver and one bronze. 

Kenyas gold was courtesy of Solomon Lekuta in 800m, George Manangoi in 1500m, Edward Zakayo in 5000m and Rhonex Kipruto in 10,000m while the women contributed two gold medals thanks to Beatrice Chebet in 5000m and Celliphine Chespol in 3000m steeplechase. 

"It has been an exciting three-day event which we can confidently term a success. It was eye opening for the organisers as well as the technical team. In the end , we have a great team that can defend the title won in Tempere and they have a six weeks to prepare. With most of them being in school, they will have a two-week break before hitting camp. The break gives them a chance to catch up with school and at the same time allows the Tokyo-bound Olympics team to leave the Kasarani camp," 

"As the championship approaches, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has noted areas of weakness and now we embark on capacity building. The technical team is 80 percent ready and they will be fully prepared well ahead of time. Having successfully hosted the World Under-18 championship in 2017, we expect even a better event next month. We had a fully packed championship back in 2017 and while that I not possible given the current Covid-19 Siti, we are negotiating with the government to allow us have at least a third of Kasarani Stadium's capacity, which is 20,000 fans, attending," said AK's Barnaba Korir. 

AK president Jackson Tuwei congratulated the LOC for hosting a successful event. "I have no doubt we shall have a very exciting event in August," he said. "Any global event is not easy, we have to be at your very best to compete with the rest of the world. I have confidence this team will deliver the title at home."

Full Team

Men  

High Jump: Sid Markus

Discus : Titus Kiptoo

High Jump: Dennis Maina

Shot Put: Dominic Kiprotich

Javelin: Wilson Letunyie

10,000m walk Harrington Wanyonyi

400m H: Peter Kithome, Allocious Kipngetich

110m H: Patrick Muindi

3000m: Bernard Kibet, Daniel Kinyanjui

100m: Sylvester Simiyu

400m: Elkanah Kiprotich, Edwin Kipyegon

1500m: Vincent Keter, Emmanuel Lemama

200m: Jonathan Muasya

5,000m: Levi Kibet, Benson Kiplangat

800m: Noah Kibet, Emmanuel Wanyonyi

3000m S/C: Simon Kiprop, Amos Serem

Women

High Jump: Zeddy Chesire

Discus Linda: Kageha

Javelin: Martha Musaai 

Triple Jump: Fatuma Winny

Long Jump: Zeddy Chesire

Shot Put: Maureen Milka

10,000m walk: Margaret Gati

400m H:Agnes Ngumbi

100m H: Agnes Ngumbi

5,000m: Maurine Cherotich, Zena Jeptoo

100m: Mercy Chebet 

400m: Sylvia Chelangat 

3000m Teresia Muthoni, Zena Jemutai

1500m: Purity Chepkurui, Winny Jemutai 

200m: Louise Morara

800m: Sheila Chepkosgei, Brenda Chebet

3000m S/C: Jackline Chepkoech, Faith Cherotich