Kenya’s Emanuel Kiprono delivered a dominant performance to win the gold medal in the men’s 3,000m final with a new record of 7:28.28 at this year’s World Athletics U20 Championships on Friday night in Oregon, USA.
The 17-year-old Form Three student at St. Francis Kimoron Boys in Elgeyo Marakwet County also posted the second-fastest time over the distance, missing Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha’s world record by 9 seconds.
With determination buoyed by Kenyan fans in the stands, Kiprono accelerated in the home stretch, leaving behind his compatriot Elkana Sanutia who dropped from 2nd place to 9th as the champion went on to break his own personal best and a WU20 lead of 7:35.40, which he set during the trials in May.
Speaking on his victory Kiprono said ‘’We planned with Sanutia to move as a team but when I saw him lagging I decided to go alone and save the medal.I didn’t want to put myself into pressure and trouble towards the end that’s why I didn’t look back.”
Kiprono attributed his victory to good training and his mom’s prayers the day before the race. “I talked to my mom the day before the final, and she told me she had called a Catholic priest to pray for me. I dedicate my win to my mom, all my classmates, and all my friends back home in Keiyo South,” he continued.
The new world champion said he is now shifting his focus to senior events. “This is quite an achievement for me, being my first world championship. As I now turn my attention to senior races, I want to qualify for next year’s World Championships and the 2028 Olympics.”
Frenchman Alois Abraham settled for silver in 7:47.79 ,while a determined Ojiro Honda from Japan completed the podium positions with a new national record of 7:48.49.
Anatasha Cheptoo claimed a bronze medal in the women’s 3000m SC final in 9:37.18.
Almaz Yohannis and Wosane Asefa, both from Ethiopia, won gold and silver medals respectively.
In other results involving Kenyans, Collins Tajewou and Nahashon Pkiach cruised to the men’s 800m final set for this evening after winning their semifinal heats on Friday.
The two will return to the track from 7:09 pm local time for the final as they seek to end Kenya’s six-year wait for the title since current Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi claimed victory.
It was Kenya’s second gold at this year’s championships in the USA and their fifth overall medal, placing them in second position in the medal table with 2 gold, a silver, and 2 bronze medals, behind hosts USA, who have amassed 4 gold and 4 silver medals.
China is third with 2 gold and a bronze, while East African neighbors Ethiopia completes the top three with a gold, 2 silvers, and a bronze.
