Kenya’s Louis Khawel Makhakha, Mercy Chemweno, Cynthia Chepkurui and Judith Sapato are determined to make their mark at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships, which begin tomorrow in Eugene, Oregon, USA, with each athlete targeting medals and personal best performances.
Louis Khawel Makhakha
Makhakha will carry Kenya’s hopes in the men’s 100 metres as the country’s sole representative in the event. The 19-year-old sprinter believes he is ready to compete with the world’s best after an encouraging period in the national training camp.
The FEASSA 200m silver medallist, who also competes in the 200m and 4x100m relay, said the training camp has significantly improved his performance.
“I have a good coach who gives me quality training, and I have seen great improvement. Right now, I feel good being the only Kenyan to qualify for the World Championships in the 100 metres,” said Makhakha, the 2025 FEASSA 4x100m relay gold medallist.
The sprinter, who also won silver in the 100m and gold in the 4x100m relay at FEASSA, said Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, inspires him, although Botswana Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo remains his biggest role model.
“I have watched Tebogo progress from the Under-20 level to becoming an Olympic champion. He is a great runner. As much as I admire Omanyala, Tebogo stands out for me,” he said.
Makhakha is confident of producing a personal best in Eugene.
“I expect to run my personal best and return home with a medal because I believe in myself. Once I step on the track, I always give my best, and I believe I can win a medal.”
Cynthia Chepkurui
Distance runner Cynthia Chepkurui returns to the United States hoping to go one step further after narrowly missing the podium with a fourth-place finish at the World Cross Country Championships in the Under-20 category.
The African Under-18 3,000m champion will compete in the women’s 5,000m and believes the national training camp has sharpened both her speed and endurance.
“My training partners have been very supportive, and my coach prepared me well to make Team Kenya. Since joining camp, I have improved a lot, especially in speed and endurance,” said Chepkurui, who trains at Lemotit under coach Paul Kemei.
Having helped Kenya secure team silver at the World Cross Country Championships, Chepkurui is determined to claim an individual medal in Oregon.
“This time I want to make the podium. The support from my training mates and coaches has given me confidence.”
Judith Sapato
Eighteen-year-old Judith Sapato has taken an unusual path to athletics, switching from football to sprinting after her talent was spotted while she was still in school.
Competing in the women’s 400m, Sapato said she played football through primary school and reached the national level before changing disciplines in 2024.
“I started running in 2024 because I used to play football. I never competed in athletics during primary school. My coach noticed my running ability when I was in Grade Seven, and now I am in Team Kenya ready to fight for a medal,” she said.
The Grade Nine student at Chagaik Junior School credited discipline and commitment for earning her place in the Kenyan team.
“Discipline has helped me make the team. Training has been tough, but I have persevered. I want to do my best and return home with a medal. I also want to encourage young athletes to work hard and ask parents to support their children’s talents.”
Mercy Chemweno
Steeplechaser Mercy Chemweno heads to Oregon determined to improve her personal best after a string of impressive continental performances.
She won silver in the 3,000m at the 2026 African Championships in Accra, Ghana, and another silver in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2025 African Under-20 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
“Training in camp has been very good, and it gives me confidence that I can win a medal in Oregon. I started running in Class Eight and progressed to the national level. I have always respected my coaches and teammates, and that has helped me earn this opportunity,” she said.
Chemweno believes she is ready to deliver both a medal and a personal best.
“I feel good and ready for the challenge. I want to win a medal and set a personal best. As the second-born in my family, with my younger sister also competing in the steeplechase, I want to be a role model for her and other young athletes.”