World Athletics Under-20 Championships: Second gold for Kenya as Reynold Kipkorir storms to victory
Team Kenya have landed another impressive win in the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships after Reynold Kipkorir crossed the line first in the 1500m men's finals.
Kipkorir clocked a time of 3:35.83 to win the gold medal after sizzling performance that left his challengers completely outpaced.
Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma came in second with 3:37.24 and another Kenyan, Daniel Kimaiyo finally closed the podium at 3:37.43 bagging the bronze medal.
“The race was so fine for me today, I could have handled any challenge,” said Cheruiyot. “I'm feeling so proud.”
The young Kenyan duo had actually slowed on the second lap, passing 800m in 1:55.93, and Adihana Kasaye of Ethiopia later on swept to the front with a little over a lap to run.
Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot:
Kipkorir soon attacked on the back straight as Kasaye held him off, but in the home straight the 18-year-old kicked it into overdrive and said a swift bye to his rivals, drawing a whopping 1.4 seconds clear to the finish line.
Previously, Kipkorir had amazed the crowd at Cali, Colombia after destroying heat 2 in the first round with a time of 3:40.96 to secure the fastest time in all the heats.
Kipkorir now joins Betty Chelangat as the only Kenyan gold medalists so far in the youthful competitions.
Chelangat on Tuesday produced a powerful display to take Kenya’s first gold medal at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, winning the women’s 3000m ahead of Ethiopia’s Tsiyon Abebe and Kenya’s Nancy Cherop.
Chelangat stayed strong all the way to the finish, crossing the line in 9:01.03 ahead of Abebe (9:03.85) and Cherop (9:05.98).
“I train hard, and that’s why I win,” said Chelangat, who currently sharpens her already impressive talents in Iten under the guidance of coach John Litei. “I waited until three laps remaining, then I see that I have enough left. I thank God and also my coach.” Added Chelangat.
Team Kenya is now second in the medal rankings having won 4 medals in total; 2 gold medals and 2 bronze medals.
