WU20: Kenya claim gold and silver in women 3000m to top medal table on second day

Teresiah Muthoni was a cut above the rest in the women's 3000m as she ran a tactical race to claim gold in the ongoing U-20 Championships at Kasarani Stadium.

She clocked 8:57.78 ahead of her compatriot Zena Jemutai who settled for silver after timing 8:59.59

Muthoni wheeled away from her opponents with less than 200m to the line to scoop the second gold medal for Kenya after Benson Kiplangat who ruled the 5000m raced earlier at the same venue. 

The home girls endured a nervy race in which they led mostly with two challengers, each from bogey neighbors Uganda and Ethiopia, breathing behind their necks.

When it came to the business end of the race Uganda's Edna Chesang was the first to fall back, burnt by the scorching pace. Ethiopia's Melknat Wudu stayed with the Kenyans and twice attempted to upstage them.

First she burst forward just after the bell but the Kenyan duo drew deep into their gas reserves to fend her off. She would mount another daring dash upfield at the 200m bend and temporarily ran in front of Jemutai who was also tiring.

The lanky Muthoni stayed strong and led the rest of the race to the finish while Jemutai made a strong comeback to overtake the industrious Ethiopian and claim silver.

"This is my first ever international gold in am elated. This is a harvest from what I have planted in training and the fruits are good. It was not easy but I had to push for that gold. This is my last championship as a junior as I am looking forward to moving to the senior category where I want to make winning an everyday thing," said the Japan-based Muthoni.

"I finished fourth in the last edition held in Tampere and thus needed to make a statement. The Ethiopian were very tactical in that race and learned my lessons the. I had been working hard for it and I am happy with the silver medal.

The push from the colleagues in camp made me better over the years. Seeing Muthoni kick in the tail end of the race also pushed me to follow suit. The challenge was tough but I was not going to let the Ethiopians snatch our well-planned 1-2 for team Kenya,' said Jemutai.