Rono,Kiplagat claim gold and silver
Kenya continued its dominance in middle-distance athletics at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Senegal after Faith Rono and Wesley Kiplagat claimed gold and silver medals respectively on Monday.
Rono, 16, produced an impressive performance to win the women’s 3,000m in 9:15.47, holding off a strong challenge from Ethiopia’s Tisgab Yordanos to secure Kenya’s fourth gold medal at the Games.
The Kericho-born athlete showcased her tactical maturity, controlling the race during the opening four laps before responding emphatically when Yordanos launched her challenge in the final lap.
The Grade Nine student, trains at Lemotit Athletics Club under coach Paul kemei timed her final kick perfectly, surging past the Ethiopian to cross the finish line first at the Complex Iba Mar Diop Stadium.
Rono said she was determined to make amends after a disappointing outing at the 2026 World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States, where she finished 19th in the women’s 3,000m.
“I would like to thank God for this victory. The race was good and I was determined to win gold. The competition was tough, but I remained focused even when I saw Yordanos trying to overtake me,” said Rono.
“My coach had instructed me to lead during the first four laps to test the waters and assess my competitors. I am happy to win here because the weather conditions in Oregon were challenging, but I came to Dakar more motivated to deliver something special,” she added.
Uganda’s Keren Chelimo completed the podium, winning bronze in 9:32.41 to give East Africa a clean sweep of the medals.
In the men’s 2,000m steeplechase, Wesley Kiplagat settled for silver after clocking a personal best of 5:36.28 in a closely contested race.
Ethiopia’s Abdo Junedin claimed gold following a decisive late kick in 5.29.30, while Uganda’s Michael Kibet finished third in 5:36.50.
Kiplagat, 17, who won silver in the men’s 3,000m at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, last August, celebrated his first medal in steeplechase.
The St Francis Kimuron student said he had to overcome difficulties at the water jump before securing second place.
“I tried my best after switching from the 3,000m to the 2,000m steeplechase. I feel good winning silver and next time I will put in more effort to get gold,” said Kiplagat.
“Abdo and Kibet were putting me under pressure. I had hoped to kick in the final lap, but experienced some difficulties crossing the water barrier. It was my first time competing in the steeplechase,” he added.
Monday’s results lifted Kenya’s medal tally to five, comprising four gold and one silver, further underlining the country’s strength in middle-distance running.
Kenya’s medal hunt continues on Tuesday, with three more gold medals within reach in the men’s 800m, women’s 1,500m and 5,000m race walk.
