Kenya started the 2022 World Under 20 Championship that is currently underway in Santiago de Cali, Colombia in fantastic fashion by winning the first gold medal courtesy of Betty Chelangat in the 3,000m race held at Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero.
Chelangat waited until the final stages of the race before moving away from the leading pack that had her fellow East African counterparts.
She produced a sensational kick in the final few meters to pip Ethiopia’s Tsiyon Abebe and ensure Kenya successfully defends the title won by Teresia Muthoni at the delayed 2020 edition held in Nairobi.
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The Iten-based runner was too good for her opponents. By the time Chelangat approached the finishing line, no one was in sight. She opened a 50m gap to cross the finishing line in an impressive time of 9:01.03, two seconds ahead of Abebe.
Kenya’s Nancy Cherop was outpaced by Abebe in the final stages of the race despite giving a spirited fight. She settled for bronze in 9:05.98
Speaking after the race, Chelangat credited hard training under the tutelage of her coach John Litei for the victory.
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“I train hard, and that’s why I win. I waited until three laps remained, then I saw that I had enough left. I thank God and also my coach.” she was quoted by the WorldAthletics.org.
When asked about her future plans, the 17-year-old revealed that she wants to represent Kenya in future international competitions and hopefully feature in the Olympic Games
In the 5,000m men’s race, the gold medal went to Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune who finished fourth in Nairobi last year. He crossed the finishing line in 14:03:05 ahead of Eritreans Merhawi Mebrahtu and Habtom Samuel who clocked 14:03.33 and 14:03.67 respectively.
Kenya is expected to win more medals in the event which will end on Saturday August 6, two days before the curtains fall at the Commonwealth Games that is ongoing in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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