World junior cross country silver medallist Emmanuel Kiprono headlines a strong list of invited athletes for the World U20 Championships trials set for Thursday to Saturday at Nyayo Stadium.
Kiprono, one of the favourites to secure a place in the team for the World U20 Championships scheduled for August 4–9 in Eugene, Oregon, USA, warmed up for the trials by winning the 3,000m at the recent Absa Kip Keino Classic.
The Kimuron Secondary School student has enjoyed a standout season, also winning the national secondary schools 8km cross-country title and the 5,000m crown in Kisumu.
However, he is expected to face stiff competition from Africa U18 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist Emmanuel Lemiso, Sinonin Secondary’s Brian Kandie, Wesley Kiplangat, Enock Tuitoek, and more than 14 other athletes vying for qualification.
“At the trials, my target is to win my race, then shift focus to the World Championships. I’m confident I will make it to the US and target a gold medal,” said Kiprono.
Kiprono has also been invited to compete in the 5,000m, where he will again face strong opposition, including 2024 World U20 champion Andrew Alamisi. At the World Cross Country Championships in the
United States in January, Kiprono beat Alamisi to finish third.
In the men’s 3,000m, African champion Lemiso is widely tipped as the favourite.
Elsewhere, siblings Linda Masai and Vanenza Masai of Kongit Secondary School in Bungoma County have also been invited and will compete for places in both the 3,000m and 5,000m events.
The duo are chasing their maiden national team call-ups. “I want to fulfil my dream of boarding a plane and representing my country,” said Vanenza, the national secondary schools 6km cross-country champion.
In the sprints, national secondary schools 200m champion Faith Kerubo Onserio of Riooga Secondary School will line up in three events at the trials—200m, 400m, and 800m.
Onserio, a Form Four student, has already met the qualifying standard in the 800m, though her coach Haron Onchong’a says she is likely to compete in only two events depending on the schedule.
“We will decide on her events once we review the programme,” said Onchong’a, who is also the school principal.
Onchong’a also ruled out national secondary schools 100m and 200m champion Alex Moonka from contention.
