WU20: Kenya anticipate elusive gold in junior championship

Japan-based Teresia Muthoni and her counterpart, Africa Under-18 3000m champion Zena Chemutai carry Kenya’s hopes for a first gold medal in almost ten years for the women’s 3000m when the World Under 20 Championships guns off at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Kenya has missed out on the women’s gold in the distance since Mercy Chebwogen won first place at the 2012 edition of the competition in Barcelona. As the two take to the track on Thursday 19 August 2021, from 5 PM, the onus will be on them to break the duck.

“We have not had as many talented athletes as we do currently in the event. Training has gone well and I believe we will have a strong start on day one, which will boost morale for the rest of the team,” said Kenya’s national under-20 coach Robert Ngiserei. 

Muthoni, who came to the country for the trials after graduating from Serra High School in Japan, surprised the field by winning in 8:51.69 over Jemutai, who finished in 8:55.75. 

They have been honing their talents in preparation for the championships, hoping to bag medals for the country. Kenya’s biggest opponent is anticipated to be Ethiopians, who are the defending champions. 

“I have competed in a lot of races in Japan and believe I have gained sufficient experience to handle my opponents. With only a few days till the tournament, I'm just fine-tuning a few things and focusing my training on certain aspects as recommended by our coaches,” Muthoni told World Athletics. 

Ngisirei, who has led the junior team to multiple worldwide competitions, where they have consistently placed first in the medal standings, expressed confidence that the long wait for gold in the distance will be over soon. 

"I have been evaluating my athletes on a regular basis, and they are not far from the winning classes of a few years ago. I would say they are on pace with, if not somewhat ahead of, the rest of the world's athletes," Ngisirei stated.