Frankline Kibet led a Kenyan 1-2 in the men’s 5000 metres final, clocking 13 minutes and 28.27 seconds to win Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday.
Nehemiah Kipngeno made it a Kenyan 1-2 finish, taking silver in 13:30.09 in a dominant display of front-running and teamwork.
Afterwards, Kibet said Kenyan athletes were forced to change tack in the race to tame their opponents.
“Teamwork played a critical role in winning the medals and we are so proud of our performance because we wanted to remain on top of the word. We changed tactics to win,” Kibet said after the race.
Ethiopia’s Mamaru Goadie pushed the Kenyans all the way and appeared a big threat, but he faded off with one lap to go and eventually finished fifth. His compatriot Damitew Kebede timed 13:35.38 for third place.
Kenya’s Andrew Alamisi won men’s 5000m race in the 2024 edition of the championship held in Lima, Peru.
Kibet, a Form Three Student at St Peter’s Kapkecha Secondary School in West Pokot, led Kenya to a podium sweep at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida in January. He arrived in Eugene as the man to beat.
At the same time, Collins Tentera and Nashon Pkiach of Kenya both qualified for the semi-finals of men’s 800m race.
Tentera made a big statement in the fifth heat, taking control of the race early on to win in 1:51.19. He ran from behind in the first lap but surged ahead with 150 metres to go to easily win.
“I’m looking forward to the final. I hope to win a medal here, and I’m glad we are in the semifinals. I hope we all reach the final, then work as a team to win medals,” Tentera who is a Form Three Student at St Francis Kimuron High School in Elgeyo Marakwet, said.
Pkiach from West Pokot qualified for the semi-finals, finishing third in the first heat in 1:51.35.
“The pace was too slow for me today. I believe I can run a better time in the semifinals to earn a place in the final race,” Pkiach, who trains in a high-altitude camp in West Pokot, said.
Men’s 800m semi-finals will be held on Friday, and the final on Saturday.
Nancy Jepngetich won her preliminary heat in 2:01.25 to qualify for the semifinals, only to be disqualified moments later for lane infringement.
The decision wiped out what would have been one of the fastest times of the round, leaving Marion Jepchumba as Kenya’s lone ranger in the two-lap race.
Jepchumba had to work hard in a tactical, sun-baked heat at Hayward Field, crossing the line fifth in 2:07.69 to snatch the final automatic qualification spot from her heat.
Despite the slow time, she did just enough to advance under the rule where the first five in each heat progress.
“There was a lot of heat out there today and it might have slowed me but I’m through, and I’m eyeing a much better race in the next level now that I will be the only Kenyan in the race,” said Jepchumba.
Earlier, sprinter Louis Khawel, competing in the 100m finished fifth after clocking 10.51, ending his outing to the championships.
