Dennis Kipkoech and Diana Chekemoi secured silver and bronze medals, respectively, bringing Kenya’s medal count to three at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru.

Kipkoech clocked 8 minutes 20.79 seconds in the 3000m final, finishing just behind Norway's Andreas Fjeld Halvorsen, who won gold with a time of 8 minutes 20.56 seconds. Great Britain's Edward Bird took the bronze, finishing in 8 minutes 21.00 seconds. Another Kenyan, Clinton Kimutai Ngetich, placed 11th with a time of 8 minutes 25.51 seconds.


Expressing his gratitude, Kipkoech said, “I must thank God for winning this silver. It was not easy, but the hard work paid off.” He noted that the team strategy with his teammate Kimutai didn’t go as planned, particularly in the final lap. "I decided to go my own way when my colleague faded, but unfortunately, I miscalculated the last lap, not realizing my competitors were so close."

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In the women’s 3000m steeplechase, Chepkemoi achieved a personal best of 9 minutes 29.84 seconds, earning her a bronze medal. Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew claimed gold with a new championship record of 9 minutes 12.71 seconds, while Uganda’s Loice Chepkwemoi took silver with a personal best of 9 minutes 18.84 seconds.


“I am happy to have won a medal for Kenya. The race was tough, but I’m confident I will win next time,” said Chepkemoi.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s trio of Sarah Moraa, Phanuel Kipkosgei, and Kelvin Kimutai advanced to the 800m final with strong performances. Sara Moraa, the reigning African Games champion and cousin of 800m world champion Mary Moraa, led from start to finish, clocking 2 minutes 3.44 seconds, ahead of Italy's Lorenza de Noni (2:04.21) and Ethiopia's Aster Areri. She will represent Kenya in the women’s 800m final scheduled for Saturday at 12:50 a.m.

In the men’s category, Phanuel Kipkosgei, the reigning ISF World Schools Cross Country Under-18 champion, won his heat in 1 minute 48.2 seconds, edging out Japan’s Ko Ochiai. Kelvin Kimutai finished second in his heat with a time of 1 minute 47.5 seconds, securing his spot in the final set for Saturday at 12:35 a.m.