World Under-20 Cross Country silver medallist Emmanuel Kiprono has set his sights on landing his first global title at the World U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, after delivering a commanding display in the men’s 3,000m at the Athletics Kenya U20 trials on Friday at Nyayo Stadium.
The World U20 Championships are scheduled for August 2 to August 9. Under the trials selection criteria, the first athlete across the finish line earned automatic qualification, while a panel of judges will determine the second team member. Kiprono emphatically underlined his credentials, stopping the clock at 7:35.4 to storm to victory, comfortably inside the 8:04.00 entry standard for Eugene.
Elkanah Sanutia also dipped below the qualifying mark, clocking 7:59.6, while Enock Tuitoek completed the podium in 8:01.0. The performance was another statement run from Kiprono, who had already launched his 2026 campaign on a high by clinching silver at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10.
He clocked 23:20 to seal silver in an all-Kenyan podium sweep, with Frankline Kibet (23:18) taking gold and Andrew Alamisi (23:28) securing bronze. Kiprono revealed his triumph at Nyayo was the product of meticulous preparation. ”I had trained very well for this race. At the finish line, I felt my body was in good shape.”
After assessing the early pace, he decided to seize control of the contest. ”I saw the group was not moving fast, so I decided to push the field,” he said. His World Cross Country silver medal has only sharpened his appetite for bigger prizes on the global stage.
”I got silver at the World Cross Country, and I knew I had a lot more in the tank, but I was still not satisfied.”
Now, his focus is firmly locked on Eugene. ”I want to go to America and come back with gold so that my Kenyan fans can be happy.”
Kiprono, who schools at St Francis Kimuron in Iten, also dreams of etching his name into the institution’s celebrated athletics legacy. The school has produced some of Kenya’s finest middle-distance stars, including David Rudisha, the men’s 800m world record holder, Emmanuel Korir, the 2020 Olympic champion, and Phanuel Koech, the World U20 1,500m record holder. ”I also want my name to be written in our school’s hall of fame,” he said.
Beyond personal ambition, the youngster is also driven by family pride. The sixth-born in a family of seven siblings, Kiprono hopes to carry forward his father’s athletics legacy onto the world stage. ”My father used to run 5,000m and 3,000m, so I am just taking over the reins from him,” he said.
The Boniface Limo-coached athlete was also set to double up in the 5,000m. ”I will be running the 5,000m also, so I want to win that race as well,” he added.
Cynthia Chepkurui (131) and Joyline Chepkemoi (090) compete in the girls’ 5,000m/ TEDDY MULEIIn the girls’ 5,000m, Africa U18 3,000m champion Cynthia Chepkurui punched her ticket to Eugene after clocking 15:24.4, comfortably under the 16:25.0 entry standard.
African U20 3,000m bronze medallist Joyline Chepkemoi finished second in 15:37.8. Chepkurui could not hide her delight after sealing victory. ”I am thankful I was able to finish the race in first position,” she said. The youngster said her gold medal at last year’s continental championships ignited fresh belief in her abilities.
”I won gold in Africa, and that really motivated me and gave me morale.”
At the 2025 African U20 and U18 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Chepkurui clocked 9:26.35 to strike gold. With Eugene now on the horizon, she intends to sharpen her finishing speed in pursuit of another major crown. ”When I go back to camp, I want to focus on my speed so that I can come back with a gold medal,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chepkemoi admitted the race was gruelling but expressed satisfaction at securing a top-two finish. ”The race was tough, but I pushed myself. This is my last U20 season, so I am thankful to have finished in the top two.”
She now hopes to bow out of the junior ranks in style with a gold medal performance in Eugene. ”I hope to go to Eugene and come back with gold so that I can finish my U20 journey in a good way.”
Chepkemoi believes her bronze medal from last year’s African U20 3,000m showdown, where she clocked 8:49.48, will serve as extra motivation.
”My bronze from the African U20 will motivate me.”
The youngster also credited world 5,000m and 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet as a key source of inspiration in her athletics journey.
”I thank Beatrice Chebet, my mentor, for supporting and motivating me in my athletics journey.”
”She has been advising me before my transition to the senior ranks. She tells me that I need to put more effort into my senior career.”
