World Under-20 Cross Country champion Frankline Kibet will shoulder Kenya’s hopes of retaining the men’s U20 5,000m crown when he lines up at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Thursday at 6:20 am during the World U20 Championships.
Kenya heads into the race as the defending men’s 5,000m champions after Andrew Alamisi stormed to gold in Lima, Peru, in 2024, stopping the clock at 13:41.14.
Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa settled for silver in 13:41.56, while Uganda’s Keneth Kiprop completed the podium in 13:41.73.
As the World U20 Championships get underway today in Eugene, few athletes are better suited to defend Kenya’s title than Kibet, who has already proven his class on the global stage this season.
Kibet struck gold at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10, clocking 23:18, with Emmanuel Kiprono completing a Kenyan one-two after crossing the line in 23:20. Alamisi rounded off the podium in third after timing 23:28.
In Eugene, Kibet will be joined by Nehemiah Kipng’eno. Kibet is laser focused on ensuring the title remains in Kenyan hands.
“Training has been good. Our main target going to Eugene is to push ourselves and come back with a gold medal.”
The World Cross Country champion arrives in Oregon full of confidence after testing himself against some of the world’s best at the Paris Diamond League on June 28, where he clocked 13:08.32 to finish 13th in the senior men’s 5,000m.
His compatriot Kipng’eno who is based in Japan is equally a strong distance runner having won the World U20 5,000m trials after posting 13:41.16.
Kipng’eno also has experience in Japanese races having placed third over the same distance at the Kanakuri Memorial Middle and Long distance invitational timing 13:22.90.
“This is my first time making Kenya team and I am happy, I want to make the most out of this opportunity and deliver good results,” Kipng’eno said.
Elsewhere, team captain Joyline Chepkemoi and Cynthia Chepkirui will spearhead Kenya’s charge in the women’s U20 5,000m final, scheduled for 5:53am. The pair will be out to reclaim the title Kenya last won through current world record holder over 5,000m and 10,000m Beatrice Chebet in Tampere in 2018.
Ethiopia has dominated the event in the last two editions, with Medina Eisa striking gold in both Cali 2022 and Lima 2024.
Chepkemoi heads into the race with an impressive resume, highlighted by a bronze medal in the 3,000m at the 2025 African U20 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria, where she clocked 8:49.48.
The 19-year-old also boasts valuable cross-country pedigree, having helped Kenya’s junior women’s team secure a silver medal at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, before aiding the senior team to silver again in Tallahassee, Florida.
For Chepkemoi, the Eugene championships carry added significance as they mark her final appearance in the junior ranks.
“This is going to be my last Under-20 Championships. I want to bring a medal from Eugene so that I can shift to the senior ranks in a good way,” she said.
As team captain, Chepkemoi says the mood in the Kenyan camp is upbeat, with every athlete eager to take on the world.
“I have been talking to my fellow athletes, and they all say they are ready and focused for the competition.”
