Kenya won more GOLD medals on the final day of World Junior under 20 Championships to move up the medal table and finish the competition in second place behind USA who won after amassing a total of 21 medals.

Two more GOLDs from Amos Kirui and Kipyegon Bett ensured that the East Africans finished the Championships in 2nd place with a total of 9 medals: 5 GOLDs, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze to move up ahead of Ethiopia and Cuba who finished 3rd and 4th respectively.

Bett ran a good 800m race, kicking in front in the last 400m and never looked back as he ran 1:44.95 to take the win. In fact the race was an African 1-2-3 , with Kenya’s Willy Kiplimo Tarbei 2nd in 1:45.50 and Morocco’s Mostafa Smaili 3rd in 1:46.02.

Kipyegon Bett celebrates winning the men's 800m. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media
Kipyegon Bett celebrates winning the men’s 800m. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

Meanwhile in the men’s 3000m Steeplechase, Kirui was on his own as he stormed to a World under 20 lead of 8:20.43 to win Kenya’s 2nd GOLD of Day 6.

Amos Kirui raising both hands after clinching GOLD for Kenya in Men's 3000m Steeplechase. Photo Credit: Making of Champions / PaV media
Amos Kirui raising both hands after clinching GOLD for Kenya in Men’s 3000m Steeplechase. Photo Credit: Making of Champions / PaV media

The fight for 2nd and 3rd place was very enthralling. Kenya’s Vincent Kipyegon Ruto thought he had Silver in the bag only for Eritrea’s Yemane Haileselassie to pedal down and nick it from him in 8:22.67. An even better success story was that of Getnet Wale who also beat Ruto on the line despite tripping twice and also finishing 3rd with a Personal Best of 8:22.83

Meanwhile in the women’s 1500m, Ethiopia made a 1-2 with Adanech Anbesa winning GOLD in 4:08.07 and Fantu Worku taking the Silver in 4:08.43. USA’s Christina Aragon took the Bronze in 4:08.71

Ethiopia's Adanech Anbesa won GOLD in women's 1500m to take her country up to 3rd position on the medal table. Photo Credit: Making of Champion/PaV media
Ethiopia’s Adanech Anbesa won GOLD in women’s 1500m to take her country up to 3rd position on the medal table. Photo Credit: Making of Champion/PaV media

SHARE
Athletics coverage was a discovery, having to move away from regularly writing about Football. Although it was initially daunting, but now being an authority in it makes the past effort worthwhile. From travelling on the same international flight with Nigerian athletes, to knowing you could easily interview: World Record holder Tobi Amusan, then Ese Brume, I have cut my teeth in this beat earning the trust of Athletics sources. Formerly the Content Manager-Sports at Ringier media Nigeria, Chris is a Senior Sports writer, Photographer & Community manager at Making of Champions.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here