Kenyan youngsters begin boot camp in France ahead of Under-20 championship

Eleven Kenyan athletes, on Monday 11 April 2022, began a month-long boot camp in France as part of Athletics Kenya's (AK) preparations for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships set for Cali, Colombia later in the year. 

Coach Perpetua Mbutu one of the two coaches who travelled with the youngsters has been impressed by the response of the athletes. 

Mbutu is hopeful the athletes will have adopted new strategies by the time the training at Miramas Athletics Club ends.

"On Sunday we had an orientation where our athletes were taken through what to expect while in camp. The 11 junior athletes have been assigned four coaches who will guide them through the program.

We had two sessions on the opening day, tailored for particular athletes, one in the morning and another in the evening. I think that is how it is going to be during the period we are here. 

I must say the coaches are extremely friendly and they have adopted an open-door policy where the athletes can seek classification at all times," coach Mbutu offered. 

Mbutu further adds that since Kenyan athletes are currently training with their junior counterparts from France, it will help them work to attain the qualifying standards for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships set for 1 to 6 August. 

Chelagat using World junior event as launch pad for 800m career

The team includes World Under-20 400m bronze medalist Sylvia Chelangat and 100m and 200m sprinter Mercy Chebet who took part as Nairobi hosted the junior event in 2021. 12.47 m performer in triple jump at the Under-20 event Winny Chepng’etich and 400m sprinter Judy Kemunto complete the girls' list. 

The boys' team is led by Under-20 4x400m bronze medalist Peter Kithome and Elkanah Kiprotich. 110m/h and 400m sprinter Meshack Baraka, Jonathan Mutua (200m), Dominic Kipkorir (shot put), Alex Njeru (200m) and Reynold Kipkorir (800m). 

"The team of sevens boys and four girls comprise of sprints and field events athletes is yet another indication that as a country we are out to raise the level of competition in those disciplines and where better to do that than investing in our juniors.

WU20: Kiprotich ready to rumble with budding sprinters

Besides having the privilege of training under the tutelage of highly specialized coaches, our athletes will also have elite competitions in early May which will be helpful for those in search of qualifying standards for Cali because most of the junior sprinters are yet to meet the qualifying time.

WU20: Kithome powers into 400m hurdles final

As the director of youth development at AK, I want to appreciate the Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and PS Joe Okudo who have given us total support for a program that has never happened before,"  offered Barnaba Korir.

Women 

Sylvia Chelangat (400m)

Mercy Chebet (200m/100m)

Winny Chepng’etich (triple jump)

Judy Kemunto (400m)

Men 

Peter Kithome (400m/ hurdles)

Elkanah Kiprotich (400m)

Meshack Baraka (400mh/110h)

Jonathan Mutua (200m)

Dominic Kipkorir (shot put)

Alex Njeru (200m)

Reynold Kipkorir (800m)

Coaches

Andrew Maritim

Perpetua Mbutu