This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
As the World Under-20 Athletics Championships approach, athletes from Nyanza South are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory. The region has a rich history of producing top-notch sprinters, including Charles Asati, who was part of the Kenyan quartet that won the 4x400m gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
According to Athletics Kenya, a record 96 athletes turned up at the Nyanza South camp at Mogonga PAG Secondary School for early preparations. This is a clear indication of the hunger for success in the area.
Janeth Jepkosgei, the 2007 World 800m champion, has appealed to Athletics Kenya and the authorities to make the Under-20 camps an annual affair, running during school holidays. Her camp at Kapchemoiywo Girls' Secondary School in Central Rift, Nandi County, registered the second-highest attendance with 86 juniors participating.
Africa Under-18 400m silver medallist Linda Kageha, Africa 400m silver medallist Brian Tinega, and Africa Youth Olympics 800m champion Francis Leshoo are among the budding stars eyeing places in Team Kenya from Nyanza South.
Francis Leshoo, who won the 800m race at the Youth Olympics last year, said he was determined to follow in the footsteps of his role models, Olympic 800m champion and World record holder David Rudisha and Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal.
“I am ready to not only make it to the world event but also win a medal. I am slowly gaining the experience to perform at the big stage,” Leshoo said.
