Sarah Moraa and Marion Jepngetich won gold and silver, respectively, on the penultimate day of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at the Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, Peru.
The Africa 800m champion, Moraa, extended her winning streak to Peru’s capital, claiming the 800m title after controlling the pace and crossing the finish line in 2:00.36. She beat Australia’s Claudia Hollingsworth, who finished second with a time of 2:00.87, and the USA’s Sophia Gorriaran, who settled for bronze with a time of 2:01.04.
The ever-smiling Moraa said that the victory had boosted her morale ahead of the 2025 World Championships, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan.
“I’m so happy to have won this gold, my first ever at the World Championships on my debut. I really want to continue training in preparation for the World Championships,” said Moraa, who trains under Alex Sang.
She also mentioned that she prefers not to run in crowded fields or from behind, especially after seeing what happened to Faith Kipyegon at the Paris Olympic Games last month.
“I love running from the front, and today I didn’t think I would win gold, but I’m so happy because I’ve also made my country proud. I wanted a clear path because I learned something from the Olympics when many athletes fell. I felt disappointed after missing the Olympic Games and will continue training to qualify early for the global event,” she added.
Marion Jepngetich won a second silver medal for the country in the 3,000m, finishing with a time of 8:52.37 behind Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke (8:50.32). Kenyan compatriot Marta Alemayo took bronze with a time of 8:53.64.
Jepngetich said she wanted to win gold but was pleased with her silver medal.
“We had little time to train because we had our semifinals yesterday and the finals today. But I’m happy to have a medal,” said Jepngetich.
It was, however, disappointing for race favourite Mercy Chepkemoi, who finished in 9th place with a time of 9:10.54.
“My competitors had better times than me, and I entered the race with one goal: to run my own race,” said Chepkemoi.
Earlier, Phanuel Kipkoesgei Koech and Kelvin Kimutai Koech finished in 5th and 7th places, respectively, in the men’s 800m. Kipkoesgei clocked 1:47.46, while Koech managed 1:48.95. The race was won by Ethiopian General Berhanu Ayansa (1:46.86), with silver going to Australian Peyton Craig (1:46.95) and Japan’s Ko Ochiai taking bronze in 1:47.03.
On Saturday, the final day of the championships, Miriam Chemutai Kibet and Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka will compete in the 1,500m at 1:00 am, followed by the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at 1:15 am, where Team Kenya captain Edmund Serem and Mathew Kosgei will chase the titles.
– Athletics Kenya
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