L. MathekaKeter, Yegon live up to expectations on World Under-20 trials
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 03.07.21. | 12:56
Vincent Keter and Benard Yegon clinched tickets to the World Under-20 Athletics Championship.
Rongai Athletics Club protégé Vincent Keter was peerless as he picked his ticket to the World Under-20 Athletics Championship in 1500m, ahead of Emmanuel Lemama where he has promised to use his vast experience to deliver gold for Kenya.
Having qualified for the August 17-22 showpiece, Keter is looking to walk in the footsteps of his training mate George Manangoi who won gold for Kenya in the last edition in Tampere-Finland.
"The race was good but I had a race plan with my training mate Simon Kipskosgei who had won in one of the semi-finals on Thursday but he was unable to keep up in the tail end of the final. Now I shift my focus on competition properly and coming up with a race plan with Lemama,"
Vincent Keter will anchor Kenya’s squad in the men’s 1500m after comfortably wining the event’ trial in 3:38.84: "We train very hard alongside World chamion Timothy Cheruiyot and that has enabled me to perform well today. I am happy that I have achieved my dream," said Keter pic.twitter.com/hYdsVNvX45
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) July 3, 2021
"With the experience, I have gained training alongside the best in this event, I believe I can win gold for Kenya and it will be a good feeling to win at home. I intend to compete in a few more races out of the country as part of my preparation for the global event," said the Bernard Ouma-coached athlete.
Lemama, on his part credited Keter for pushing him to qualify, saying a medal at the World event will launch his senior career.
"I rode on Keter's experience as he was the man to beat on that field. It was tough but I am happy about the ticket that will see me in the Kenyan colours for the first time. Now we go back to the drawing board and keep working on my speed, especially my finishing power so we can be ready for the tough competition expected next month," said Lemama.
Bernard Kibet Yegon after winning men’s 3000m finals in 7:55.01; “I had prepared very well for this race. I will now go back to training in anticipation for the World Under-20. I hope to do the best for my country," pic.twitter.com/P3nP74oJIq
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) July 3, 2021
Meanwhile, Benard Yegon got the better of his Keringet training partner Daniel Kinyanjui to win the men's 3,000m race as the two punched their tickets to the junior world event.
The form two student at Tulwet Secondary in Kericho says he can do better times and that will be his focus going into the championship.
"It was a good race and making the team crowns all the hard work I have put in training. My speedwork, however, needs some work and so is my endurance. The two will be my main focus for the next month. Additionally, my 100m finishing kick is problematic and I will need to do some sprints to perfect that," said Kinyanjui.
