On the final day of the 12th Africa Junior Athletics Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Patrick Kiprotich and Stella Jepkosgei delivered impressive performances to secure two gold medals for Kenya.
Other notable achievements included Jonah Kipruto and Fredrick Kiptoo winning silver medals, while Ivee Chepkemoi and Daniel Kipkemoi took home bronze medals, contributing to Kenya's overall medal count.
According to the results, Abraham Kibiwott and Anthony Kiptoo also claimed gold medals. However, Kenya's total medal tally of 12 (4 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze) fell short of Ethiopia's 28 (6 gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze), with the two nations ranking third and sixth overall.
In the men's 800m event, Kiprotich improved upon his previous year's 8th place finish at the World Youth Championships by clocking 1:50.21, beating compatriot Kipruto, while Ethiopian Temam Tura secured bronze with a time of 1:51.06.
Jepkosgei, the 2012 World Junior bronze medalist, lived up to expectations in the women's 3000m steeplechase, claiming the title with a time of 10:22.47, ahead of Ethiopian Zewdine Teklemariam (10:31.40). Another Ethiopian, Mihret Tefera, took bronze in 10:37.25, narrowly edging out Kenyan Dorcas Kithome, who finished fourth with a time of 10:45.67.
Iveen Chepkemoi secured a bronze medal in the women's 1500m with a time of 4:26.19, as Ethiopian Dawit Biratu emerged victorious in 4:15.9, followed closely by compatriot Besu Beko. Eva Cherono narrowly missed a medal, finishing in 4:29.43.
In the men's 5000m event, home runner Yomif Atomsa outpaced Kiptoo and Kipkemoi to claim the top spot with a time of 14:31.03.
Kenya struggled in the sprint events, with Maureen Nyatichi finishing sixth in the women's 200m final (24.79), as Nigerian Praise Idamadudu dominated the competition (23.76), followed by Ethiopian Tegest Tamangnu, who took silver (23.84). Bronze went to Nigerian Aniekeme Alphonsus, who clocked 24.19.
Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat praised Kenya's performance, stating,
"Most of these countries get their wins from the field events, but the performance of Kenya on the track is fantastic. They did a good job."
The biannual continental event is restricted to athletes under 19 years old.
The recovered account cited reporting by Capital FM.
