Kipkurui and Chepkemoi qualify for World Athletics U 20 as national trials start

World cross country junior champion Ishmael Kipkurui is among the athletes who punched their tickets for World under 20 Athletics championships, as the 2 days national trials commenced today at the Nyayo Stadium.

Kipkurui led from gun to tape in the 5000m final to stop the clock in 13 minutes 42.71, seconds as he booked his ticket alongside Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi, who finished 2nd in 13:43.54.

Sirikwa Cross Country junior champion Mercy Chepkemoi and Marion Jepngetich also qualified in the 3000m, finishing 1st and 2nd positions in 9:10.95 and 9:14.46 respectively.

Collins Koech, Josphat Kipkurui, Sheila Jebet and Mirriam Kibet qualified in 1500m men’s and women’s 1500m respectively.

Koech  clocked 3:41.50 ahead of Kipkurui who posted 3:42.20 to finish 2nd.

Diana Chepkemoi and Judy Chepkoech finished 1,2 respectively to earn their tickets in 3000MSC posting 9 minutes 51.51 secs and 10 minutes 4.71 secs  in that order.

The trials will culminate tomorrow, after which Athletics Kenya will name a team which will represent the country at the 20th World Under 20 athletics championships set for Lima, Peru this year from 27th-31st August.

Kenya finished 4th in the 2022 edition in Cali, Colombia with 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 silver medals.