Kenya win three golds as ANOCA Zone V Youth Games athletics begins

Kenya collected three gold medals and three additional podium places as athletics began at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. The hosts won the boys’ 1500m, boys’ 200m and girls’ long jump on the opening day.

Wilson Chepkwech produced Kenya’s first victory in the boys’ 1500m, completing the final in 3:46.81. He created a decisive gap late in the race to finish ahead of Ethiopia’s Wabi Wejra Seblega, who recorded 3:52.83, while Uganda’s Cheptoek Timothy took third in 4:00.04.

The result added another title to Chepkwech’s season after his world under-20 championship victory in Eugene, Oregon. He said his approach is to stay composed before races and build his motivation around the aim of winning.

Bramwel Chasala then secured gold in the boys’ 200m with a time of 22.43 seconds. Uganda’s Muhwezi Abraham Lincoln was second in 22.66, and South Sudan’s Faisal Alafi Lino finished third in 22.98. Chasala said the performance had increased his confidence before his intended appearance at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, where he hopes to win another gold medal for Kenya.

Purity Munyalo completed Kenya’s golden run in the girls’ long jump with a best effort of 4.96m. South Sudan’s Asumpta Philip placed second at 4.36m, while Uganda’s Apiyo Michele claimed bronze after reaching 4.34m.

Kenya’s other medals came in three events. Winnie Jepchumba took girls’ 800m silver in 2:09.11 behind Ethiopia’s Nesanet Selmon, who won in 2:07.01; Rwanda’s Abizera Sonia Eli-Elohe was third in 2:11.41. Cecilia Njeri finished second in the girls’ 5000m walk in 27:56.46, behind Ethiopia’s Neima Nuredin Juhar on 27:18.41. Tabitha Wanjiru Mwaniki added bronze in the girls’ 3000m in 9:42.30, with Ethiopia’s Yordanos Tsigab Berha winning in 9:36.64 and Uganda’s Chelimo Keren taking silver in 9:41.72.