Kenya Wins Three Gold Medals as ANOCA Zone V Youth Games Athletics Begin
Kenya made a strong start to the athletics programme at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games, winning three gold medals on the opening day at Kenyatta University in Nairobi on Wednesday.
World Under-20 champion Wilson Chepkwech led the hosts’ charge, winning the boys’ 1,500 metres in 3:46.81 after producing a well-timed finish.
Chepkwech, fresh from his triumph at the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, pulled away from the field to beat Ethiopia’s Wabi Wejra Seblega, who clocked 3:52.83 for silver. Uganda’s Cheptoek Timothy was third in 4:00.04.
Chepkwech said remaining calm and maintaining a winning mindset had helped him secure victory.
“When lining up for such races, I usually avoid having tension and just focus on psyching myself up. I always want to be motivated to win and it always works out well on my end,” he said.
Bramwel Chasala added Kenya’s second gold in the boys’ 200m, winning in 22.43 seconds.
Uganda’s Muhwezi Abraham Lincoln was second in 22.66, while South Sudan’s Faisal Alafi Lino took bronze in 22.98.
Chasala said his immediate ambition was to represent Kenya at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.
“My main goal was to go and represent Kenya at the Youth Olympic Games. I assure Kenyans that when I go to Senegal, I will try my best and hopefully win a gold medal again,” he said.
Purity Munyalo completed Kenya’s gold-medal haul after winning the girls’ long jump with a 4.96-metre effort.
South Sudan’s Asumpta Philip was second with 4.36m, while Uganda’s Apiyo Michele settled for bronze after jumping 4.34m.
Kenya also collected three silver medals and a bronze to round off an impressive opening day.
Winnie Jepchumba finished second in the girls’ 800m in 2:09.11, behind Ethiopia’s Nesanet Selmon, who won in 2:07.01. Rwanda’s Abizera Sonia Eli-Elohe was third in 2:11.41.
Cecilia Njeri secured another silver for Kenya in the girls’ 5,000m walk, clocking 27:56.46. Ethiopia’s Neima Nuredin Juhar took gold in 27:18.41 in the two-athlete race.
Tabitha Wanjiru Mwaniki completed Kenya’s podium finishes with bronze in the girls’ 3,000m after stopping the clock at 9:42.30.
Ethiopia’s Yordanos Tsigab Berha won the race in 9:36.64, with Uganda’s Chelimo Keren taking silver in 9:41.72.
Mwaniki said she was pleased with her podium finish but was targeting an improvement in her time.
“I’m happy with a podium finish, but I want to improve on my time. I had trained well, and I want to do a lot of speedwork and long runs,” said Mwaniki, who trains in Nakuru.
Kenya will be seeking to build on Wednesday’s strong showing as the athletics programme continues at the continental youth championships.
