Kenya finished at the top of the medal standings as the curtains were drawn to a close in the 18th edition of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on Sunday 23rd of August. Kenya won 3 of the 4 world titles available on the final day of the World u20 championships, as the remaining one went to Ethiopia.
The top result was recorded in the men's 800m with all the podium places being under 1:45. Emmanuel Wanyonyi stormed to a championship record of 1:43.76 (2 second better than his previous Personal Best), pushed all the way by Algeria's Mohamed Ali Gouaned who smashed his PB by one second (1:44.45) as Noah Kibet completed the podium in 1:44.88. Ethiopian Olympians Tadese Takele and Diribe Welteji had to settle for silver in the men's 3000m steeplechase and women's 1500m, as they were beaten by newcomers Amos Serem and Purity Chepkurui. The bronze medals also went to Kenyan representatives, Simon Kiprop Koech and Winnie Jemutai.
The 5000m produced an Ethiopian 1-2 with Mizan Alem and 3000m bronze medallist Melknat Wudu in gold and silver, while Prisca Chesang of Uganda took the bronze, Uganda's only medal for the competition. Drama ensued as Melknat and Chesang got disqualified for steps inside the kerb/White line, but they were eventually reinstated after appeal. That saw Kenya's medal tally surge to 16; eight gold, one silver and seven bronze (8-1-7) for the country's best ever performance in 11 years at the world junior event. Their achievement superseded the world junior event, surpassing their 2000 Santiago, 2006 Beijing and 2010 Moncton.