This archive report was first published on 8 July 2021.
Published on July 8, 2021, Kenya has named a team of 43 athletes to compete at the World Athletics Under-20 Championship, which will be held at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi from August 17-22.
The team, which includes Vincent Keter, Jackline Chepkoech, and Simon Koech, aims to retain the title won by Kenya in the previous championship held in Tampere, Finland in 2018.
Kenya's team at the previous championship finished top of the pile after clinching 11 medals, six of them gold, four silver, and a bronze.
“That is our minimum target to ensure that we are top again, especially noting that we have the Championship here at home. The team we have selected is very well able to do the job and we know we have what it takes,” said Barnaba Korir, the head of Youth and Development at Athletics Kenya.
Among the medals that Kenya will look to retain is the 1500m crown, which was won in Tampere, Finland by George Manangoi.
At the same time, Jackline Chepkoech has vowed to ensure Kenya retains its respect and a place in the throne in the traditional steeplechase race.
Simon Koech will be looking to reclaim the crown lost by Kenya when Leonard Bett finished second in Tampere behind Ethiopia’s Takele Nigate.
Kenya will also try to win a sprint medal with Sylvia Chelagat aiming at that feat in the 400m.
