In Eugene Oregon
Wilson Chepkwech led Kenyans to a 1-2 finish in the 1500m men’s final while David Kapaiko Sekento claimed silver as the curtains drew on the 21st edition of the World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA on Sunday.
Chepkwech, a 16-year-old student from Mount Elgon, executed a teamwork plan alongside Sekento, with the Kenyans hiding their tactic from the onset but choosing to stay in the leading pack until the 900m mark when he led for the first time and accelerated to cross the finish line in a personal best time of 3:37.46 to bag gold.
Last year’s African Youth Games champion Sekento claimed silver, also clocking a personal best time of 3:38.32, with Morocco’s Ousama Redouani settling for bronze.
Speaking on his victory, Chepkwech said it was an answered prayer accompanied by good training in camp.
“There was a lot of pull and push and it wasn’t easy, but I thank God to have won. I have been praying the whole night for a victory and I also thank my parents and Pastor Moses Butembu, whom I spoke to and he prayed for me yesterday night over the phone,” said Chepkwech.
“We had discussed with Kapaiko to go for a podium finish, but also, we agreed that if things got worse, let’s save the medals.”He continued
“We are now taking over the race and my target now is the 2028 Olympics. We are still young and we will continue seeking advice from Phanuel Kosgei and Emmanuel Wanyonyi, whom we train together with, and each time I ask them how to win.”statwed Chepkwech
On his silver medal achievement, Kapaiko, a grade 10 student at the Lion of Judah in Emali town, said his main target was to get a medal and he is elated by an answered prayer.
“It was not easy. My target was gold, but I thank God for this silver. I attribute this medal to my coach.
We will continue from where Timothy Cheruiyot leaves the race, and that’s what we have agreed with Wilson; we can break the world record one day,” added Sekento.
The 16-year-old from Mashuru said he will compete in the U20 for three more years before transitioning to senior, and added, “I aim to go for the record and participate in the 2028 Olympics.
