The middle-distance duo of Josephine Sembeyo and Caren Chepchirchir will be out to book their places in the women’s 1,500m semi-finals at the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, when they line up for the opening round on Friday morning at 5.05am.
Sembeyo and Chepchirchir have been entrusted with carrying Kenya’s hopes in the metric mile at Hayward Field as they seek to keep the country’s medal ambitions alive.
The pair punched their tickets to the global showpiece during the national trials on May 23, where Sembeyo stormed to victory in 4:09.89, finishing comfortably ahead of Chepchirchir (4:12.10) and Millicent Kipyekomen (4:17.84).
Sembeyo, 18, says she is determined to sign off her junior career on a high by delivering a memorable performance in Eugene.
“I am grateful I was able to make the team for the World U20.
“This will be my last time running in the U20, so I hope to graduate to the senior ranks in a good way,” Sembeyo said.
The Magnolia training camp athlete has set her sights on nothing less than a place on the podium.
“My target is to fight and ensure I come back home with a medal,” she added.
Further fuelling her hunger is the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the national team for the 2025 African Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
At the trials for the continental championships, she finished fourth in the 800m in 2:10.76, missing out on a coveted ticket to Nigeria.
“At the African U18 and U20 trials last year, I finished fourth and I wasn’t able to make the cut.”
Sembeyo says sharpening her finishing speed has been the cornerstone of her preparations ahead of the global championships.
“My focus has been on speed work to ensure I give myself the best chance of making the podium.”
The teenager also draws confidence from an encouraging 2026 campaign that has seen her test herself against senior opposition.
She opened her season on the cross-country circuit at the Sirikwa Classic on February 14, finishing 17th in the women’s 2km race in 7:24.
Before sealing her place in Eugene, Sembeyo gauged her form over 800m at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, clocking 2:05.85 to finish fourth.
She also lined up at the Commonwealth Games trials on June 20, where she placed seventh in the women’s 1,500m after posting 4:12.65.
Meanwhile, Chepchirchir will be chasing the ultimate prize by adding the World U20 1,500m title to her rapidly growing collection of honours.
The 17-year-old heads to Eugene as the reigning African Under-20 champion after producing a commanding run to gold in 4:11.58 at last year’s African Under-18 and Under-20 Championships.
For Chepchirchir, that continental triumph has provided the confidence she needs ahead of the biggest race of her young career.
“Winning the African U20 title has given me confidence for the World U20.
“I am confident that I will secure a podium finish.”
Meanwhile, Wilson Chepkwech and David Sekento will spearhead Kenya’s challenge in the men’s 1,500m, with their opening-round heats scheduled for 4.32am on Friday morning.
