The 2024 World Under-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi is bullish about clinching his second global title and steering the Kenyan men’s U-20 8km squad to glory at Saturday’s World Cross Country Championship in Tallahassee, Florida.
Alamisi burst onto the global stage at the 2024 World U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, storming to the 5,000m title in 13:41.14.
Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa (13:41.56) and Uganda’s Keneth Kiprop (13:41.73) settled for silver and bronze.
The 18-year-old will toe the line in Florida in a Kenyan team that has Kelvin Kiprop, Andrew Kiptoo, Brian Kandie, Edwin Elkana, Frankline Kibet, Emmanuel Kipkorir and Kelvin Kariankei.
With one global junior title already tucked under his belt, Alamisi is not easing off the gas in his pursuit of further international honours.
“In 2024, I was the World U-20 5,000m champion. Now my main focus is on gold at the World Cross Country,” Alamisi told the Star.
Despite his bullish outlook, the teenager remains clear-eyed about the tough task ahead.
“It will be a tough competition because Uganda, Ethiopia and other European nations are there,” he said. “But looking at the way my body is responding, I am optimistic about my chances.”
Alamisi has been in electric form from last year, finishing runner-up at the Adidas Adizero Road to Records 5km in 13:03.
On the track, he placed second over 5,000m at the Zagreb Meeting (13:03.30) before powering to victory at the Rovereto Meeting in Italy, clocking 13:16.90.
He capped off his season with another eye-catching performance, finishing runner-up at the Cross Italica Cross Country in Spain, clocking 26:10.
Kenya head to Florida as the defending champions, following Samuel Kibathi’s U-20 triumph at the previous edition in Belgrade, Serbia, where he clocked 22:40 to edge Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime (22:41) and compatriot Mathew Kipruto (22:46).
Kenya also holds the overall team title in the men’s U-20 race.
“Our training has been going on well. We had camp in Embu doing various types of exercises like hill and speed work,” said Alamisi. “The coaches have played their part and have been pushing us throughout the camp.”
“As the men’s 8km squad, we are well prepared. We train with morale, knowing what lies ahead of us.”
Kiprop echoed that optimism, saying, “My main target is to chase a podium finish in the US. The training we have received will push me to my goals.”
Meanwhile, Kariankei, the winner of the U-20 race at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country, believes the squad is primed for big results.
“The coaches did a good job and that is why we are confident that in the US we can bring good results,” Kariankei noted.
Men’s U-20 coach Daniel Gashara summed up the camp’s mood, expressing unwavering belief in his young charges.
“I am very happy and positive that we have done our part. The boys are very confident and charged up, so we are confident we will defend our title both the individual and the team title.”
by TEDDY MULEI
