World Champs U20: Kenya bags first gold courtesy of Andrew Alamisi's finishing power [VIDEO]

Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi mined the first gold medal for Kenya at the World Athletics Under-20 championships in Lima, Peru, after cruising to victory in the 5000m final at the Estadio Atlético de la Villa Deportiva Nacional.

The Africa Under 18 Championships 1,500m silver medalist in Zambia last year clocked 13:41.14 to bag the first medal for Kenya on Day One of the biannual championships.

Alamisi finished ahead of Ethiopian Abdisa Fayisa, who timed 13:41.56, and Kenneth Kiprop of Uganda, who settled for bronze after clocking a season-best of 13:41.73.

The 17-year-old, while addressing the press after the race, attributed the win to the solid preparations he had undergone and the counsel from his coach.

“I had prepared well to represent my country. I want to thank God for helping me win my first gold. My coaches from the camp to this place have been of great impact, and the only thing I could do was to win gold,” said Alamisi, the 1,500m and 3,000m Commonwealth Youth silver medalist.

Besides the advice from the coaches and his hunger for success, Alamisi revealed that watching the Kenyan girls finish outside the podium places pushed him to put extra effort on the track.

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The boys’ final came barely minutes after the girls' event, which was the first final of the championships.

“When I saw our ladies fail to win any medal, I had to do something and save the country the shame of failing to medal in the two races. Right now, I have one year in junior, coming to an end next year, and I will be competing in the 10000m in the future," said Alamisi, who will be chasing both the World Cross Country and World Championships ticket next year.

Former World Cross Country junior champion Ishmael Kipkurui, who was the pre-race favourite finished fourth after timing 13:42.27.

He blamed the loss on a nagging injury, begging the question? Was he included in the team while unfit?

"This is my last year in juniors and I will be chasing for a place in the World Cross Country and World Championships. However, I did my best to finish 4th because I have not been training because of my nagging injury. The results are good for me," said Kipkurui.

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In the girls’ 5,000m race, Mercy Chepkemoi was the best-placed Kenyan, as she finished fourth after clocking 15:33.29. Her compatriot, Sheila Jebet, was fifth in 15:51.93.

Ethiopian Medina Eisa won the race in a championship record of 14:39.71.

Her compatriot Mekedes Alemeshete was second in 14:57.4, while Ugandan Charity Cherop completed the podium in a Seasons Best of 15:33.29.