WU20: Kenyan youngsters face career progression dilemma

Out of Kenya’s eight gold medalists at the World Under-20 Athletics, six will still be eligible to take part in the next event set for Cali, Colombia with only men’s 1500m title holder Vincent Keter and women’s 3000m champion Teresiah Muthoni, currently 19, out of the age bracket for next year’s championship. 

However, the question of whether or not they will stick around to compete with their peers one more time or they are ready to delve right into the sometimes ruthless world of a senior athletics career where all the big names will be giving them a run for their money has yielded different responses from medalists and participants alike.

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For those still in school, the junior championship remains an option as they look to complete school and maybe gain some more experience before transitioning while others are non-committal, probably waiting for the go-ahead from their coaches on either path. 

Amos Serem, for instance, who is now seen as the perfect replacement for the legendary Ezekiel Kemboi as world champion Consenslus Kipruto’s future in the sport remains unclear is well set to fit in his idol’s shoes. 

Serem clocked 8:30.72 with Tadese Takele of Ethiopia taking silver in 8:33.15 while Simon Koech finished in 8:34.79 for bronze. The two Kenyans are ready to take on the world. 

Despite being just 17 years,3000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech is ready to take the mantle from Hyvin Kiyeng and her namesake Beatrice Chepkoech and is likely to transition to the senior ranks. 

“I am ready to take over and go a notch higher than they have. The two have inspired my journey and I have great shoes to fill. It will be an honour to win more gold medals for my country on the global stage," said Jackline.  

Other gold medalists included 18-year old Benson Kiplagat who won the 5000m race. His 17-year old counterpart Levy Kibet settled for bronze. 18-year old Heristone Wanyonyi wrote his own history when he walked his way to Kenya’s first gold in a World Athletics global event beating the pair of authorised neutral athletes, Maksim Pyanzin or Dmitriy Gramachkov who had been touted as the favourites on the field in the men’s walking race and had the time to back it up.  

800m star Emmanuel Wanyonyi is just 17 and has his career ahead of him. His age-mate and bronze medalist Noah Kibet also proved to be one to watch as he led an explosive first lap to take the bell in 48 seconds, aiding Wanyonyi to run a championship record in 1:43.76 for gold.