Kenyan duo Serem, Kipkosgei through to 3,000m steeplechase final
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 28.08.24. | 23:02
The country has so far won one gold medal in the men's 5000m
Africa 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Edmund Serem and compatriot, bronze medalist Mathew Kosgei have vowed to steer Team Kenya gold in the World Athletics U20 championship final set for Saturday.
Competing in the first heat, Kipkosgei led from start to finish, winning in 8:24.64 ahead of Ethiopian Berihun Moges who ran a personal best time of 8:30.92. So dominant was the Kenyan that four runners managed PB's while one broke their national U20 record.
“I really wanted to run from the front just to test my body and I managed to be the best today. I did not see my competitors reacting so I kept my pace,” said Kipkosgei.
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He added that as he was running, he had to remember his mother back home, who has been motivating him to this level.
“I ran for my mother and I don’t want to let her down. For my father, he has been motivating me that if I stick in front, I should not let anyone pass me,” Kipkosgei added.
Serem, who is also the Team Kenya captain won the second heat after timing 8:48.56 ahead of Ethiopian Hailu Ayalew who timed 8:48.14 with Wyatt Haughton from the USA completing the podium in 8:59.09..
“Because this was a semifinal I chose not to run very fast to preserve energy for the final. I knew eight people will make it through and I was sure of my ticket,” he said. “As team captain, we promise that we shall come home with medals since all athletes are fine and injury free."
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