This archive report was first published on 21 August 2021.
On August 21, 2021, Kenya's Heristone Wanyonyi achieved a historic milestone by clinching the country's first-ever gold medal in the 10,000m walk at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi.
Wanyonyi's victory marked a significant breakthrough for Kenya in the sport of race walking, as he became the first Kenyan to win a gold medal in the event and the first to win a walk medal at any world championship.
Wanyonyi clocked a new personal best time of 42 minutes and 10.84 seconds to edge out India's Amit, who took silver, and Spain's Paul McGrath, who secured bronze with a new personal best time of 42 minutes and 26.11 seconds.
Wanyonyi's performance was all the more impressive given that he was the sole representative from Kenya in a loaded field of 24 athletes.
"I am really pleased to win this medal today because I have shown people that Kenya can also produce good race walkers. It is a motivation for me and others who want to take up the sport," Wanyonyi said in an interview.
Wanyonyi's strategy involved sticking to the leading pack and waiting for the opportune moment to strike, which he did with three laps left in the race. He then made a decisive move at the bell, weaving past Amit and increasing the gap to confidently secure the gold medal.
Wanyonyi's historic victory has sent a message of hope and motivation to aspiring young athletes in Kenya, and his achievement is a testament to the country's growing talent in the sport of race walking.
