Reigning World Cross Country Under-20 silver medallist Emmanuel Kiprono claimed Kenya’s second gold medal at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, after winning the men’s 3,000m title in a championship-record time.
The 17-year-old Kenyan clocked 7:28.28 to secure the gold medal, returning to the global stage with a determined performance after finishing second at the World Cross Country Under-20 Championships in Tallahassee, behind compatriot Franklin Kibet.
Kiprono, who is also the Africa Under-20 3,000m silver medallist, produced a commanding run to beat Frenchman Alois Abraham, who settled for silver in 7:47.79, while Japan’s Ojiro Honda took bronze in 7:48.49.
Kenya’s Edwin Elkana also impressed, finishing ninth in a personal-best time of 7:51.94.
Earlier, Anatasha Cheptoo added a bronze medal for Kenya in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase. The Africa Under-20 champion clocked 9:37.18 to finish third behind Ethiopian pair Almaz Yohannis and Wozane Assefa.
Yohannis won gold in 9:15.81, with Assefa taking silver in 9:30.50.
Kenya’s other entrant, Mercy Chemweno Koskey, failed to finish after falling at the water jump.
With Kiprono’s gold and Cheptoo’s bronze, Kenya moved to five medals after three days of competition — two gold, one silver and two bronze.
Franklin Kibet had earlier won gold in the men’s 5,000m, while Nehemiah Kipng’eno took silver in the same race. Joyline Chepkemoi added another bronze in the women’s 5,000m.
The United States leads the medal standings with nine medals — four gold and five silver, while Kenya sits second with five medals.