Reigning world under 20 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich and Agnes Tirop Memorial Memorial under 18 champion Pamela Kosgei qualified to compete at the finals of 3,000m steeplechase at the opening day of World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia
Cherotich won the second heat in 9:38.18 ahead of Ethiopia’s Meseret Yeshaneh in 9:41.99 as Rihab Dhari from Tunisia came third in 10:13.49.
Kosgei, who replaced Diana Chepkemoi finished second after timing 10:09.89 in heat one behind Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew (9:52.65) as Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi was third in 10:10.82.
Cherotich and Kosgei will be hoping to defend the water and barriers title that was won by compatriot Jackline Chepkoech who is in competing for Kenya at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Chepkoech won gold with Cherotich settling for bronze last year.