This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
Kenya's Junior Athletes Shine at African Games ¶
At the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, Kenya's junior athletes made a significant impact, securing 31 medals, including 11 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze.
With many elite athletes opting out of the games in favor of the World Athletics Championships, the junior athletes took the opportunity to announce their entry at the senior category in style.
Benjamin Kigen was the first Kenyan to bag a gold medal, winning the men's 3,000m steeplechase. He was followed by Lilian Kasait, who won the women's 5,000m event in 15:33.63, setting a personal best and paving the way for her to compete at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Robert Kiprop led a Kenyan trio to a podium sweep in the 5,000m event, winning gold in 13:30.96, with Edward Zakayo and Richard Kimunyan taking silver and bronze respectively.
Qualine Kiprop won the women's 1,500m event in 4:19.33, while George Manangoi won the men's 1,500m event in 3:38.27, following in the footsteps of his elder brother Elijah, the then world champion.
Vanice Nyagisera Kerubo, a 20-year-old athlete from Mogonga High School, defied the odds to win the women's 400m hurdles in 56.95, beating home girl Lamia Labhz to gold.
According to Kerubo's coach, they were not surprised by her heroics, having spotted her potential early.
"We spotted Nyagisera while she was very young and have seen her grow to become a very good athlete. I can assure you more is yet to come from her," said Onchong'a, Kerubo's coach and the Principal of Mogonga High School.
