Kenya’s Sarah Moraa and Marion Jepngetich won gold and silver respectively in the penultimate day of World Athletics under 20 championships at the Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, Peru.
The Africa 800m champion, Moraa extended her winning ways to Peru’s City, claiming the 800m after controlling the pace before crossing the finish line in 2:00.36, beating Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth to second, timing 2:00.87 and USA’s Sophia Gorriaran settling for bronze at 2:01.04.
The ever smiling Moraa said that the victory has boosted her morale ahead of 2025 World Championships that will be staged in Tokyo, Japan.
“I’m so happy to have won this gold my first ever in the world championships on my debut. I really want to continue training in readiness for World Championships,” said Moraa who trains under Alex Sang.
She added that she doesn’t like running in the crowded place or behind after what happened to faith Kipyegon at the Paris Olympic Games last month.
“I love running from the front and today I didn’t think that I would win gold but I’m so happy because I have also made my country proud. I just wanted to have a clear path because I learnt something from the Olympics when many athletes fell. I felt bad after missing the Olympic Games and will continue training so that I can qualify early for the global event,” she added.
Marion Jepngetich won the country a second silver in the 3,000m when she crossed the finish line at 8:52.37 behind Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke (8:50.32) with compatriot Marta Alemayo winning bronze in 8:53.64.
She said that she wanted to win gold but silver is a medal too.
“We had little time to train because we only had our semifinals yesterday under ran and today we face off at the finals, but I’m happy to have medal,” said Jepngetich.
However, it was disappointing for race favourite Mercy Chepkemoi who finished in the 9th position at a time of 9:10.54.
“My competitors had better times than me and I entered the race with one goal, just to run my own race,” said Chepkemoi.
Earlier on, Phanuel Kipkoesgei Koech and Kelvin Kimutai Koech finished in the 5th and 7th postions respectively in the 800m men.
Kipkosgei clocked 1:47.46 while Koech managed 1:48.95 in a race won by Ethiopian General Berhanu Ayansa (1:46.86), with silver going to Australian Peyton Craig (1:46.95) and Ko Ochiai of Japan won bronze in 1:47.03.
On Saturday, the final day of the championships, Miriam Chemutai Kibet and Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka will be in action, fighting for 1,500m medals at 1:00am followed by 3,000m steeplechase men at 1:15am where team kenya Captain Edmund Serem and Mathew Kosgei will be chasing the titles.
