The World Athletics Under 20 Championships are already up and running at Kasarani however, Team Kenya had its 2nd position stripped away after the 4X400M mixed relay (Heat 2).
Nigeria had won the heat, clocking a time of 3:21:68 while Kenya came in second at 3:22:28 but after a thorough review, youngster Elkanah Kiprotich was found to have stepped on the white marker. This in turn forced the Kenyan team to be automatically disqualified meaning India would replace the Kenyans and set a time of 3:23:36 while Czech in at 3rd; 3:24:15. All teams managed to qualify for the finals, Ecuador missing out while Ethiopia also getting disqualified.
National under-20 coach Robert Ng'iserei anticipates Kenya to end a ten-year skid in the women’s 3,000m without winning gold. The 3,000m women’s race will be the first final of the World Under 20 Championships, starting at 4:15 pm. Kenya will also be banking on Teresia Muthoni and Zena Jemutai, who are based in Japan, to restore parity that has been missing for nearly a decade. Muthoni and Jemutai qualified for the junior championship by defeating difficult opposition at last month’s national trials at Kasarani Stadium.
Vincent Keter and Kamar Etiang are also set to represent Kenya in the 1500M finals which will be held on Thursday. The men’s 5,000m, the concluding event of Day One, will also feature Levi Kibet and Benson Kiplangat, and Ngisirei feels optimistic about their chances.
DAY 1 Wednesday, August 18
MORNING SESSION:
LOCAL TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
09:00 X 4x400 Metres Relay Heats
09:08 M Hammer Throw (6kg) Qualification - Group A
09:25 W 100 Metres Hurdles Heptathlon
09:35 W 100 Metres Heats
09:47 M Shot Put (6kg) Qualification
10:15 W High Jump Heptathlon
10:20 M 100 Metres Heats
10:25 M Hammer Throw (6kg) Qualification - Group B
11:15 W 400 Metres Heats
11:40 M 400 Metres Heats
AFTERNOON SESSION:
LOCAL TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
16:00 W Pole Vault Final
16:05 W Shot Put Heptathlon
16:10 W 100 Metres Semi-Final
16:14 M Javelin Throw Qualification - Group A
16:40 M 100 Metres Semi-Final
17:05 M Javelin Throw Qualification - Group B
17:15 X 4x400 Metres Relay Final
17:35 W 200 Metres Heptathlon
17:45 M 3000 Metres Final
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