WU20: Records tumble in Nairobi as Kenya hosts a successful world event

The World Athletics U20 Championship in Nairobi earned its place in the history books with four world U20 records, 15 championship records, 11 area U20 records, 68 national U20 records and 10 national senior records registered.

The championship ended with a flourish on Sunday 22 August as the Jamaican women and the South African men broke world U-20 records in the 4x100m relays, adding to the two World U20 records set by France's Sasha Zhoya in the men's 110m hurdles.

Kenya topped the medal table with eight gold, one silver and seven bronze medals, ahead of Finland (4, 1, 0), Nigeria (4, 0, 3), Ethiopia (3, 7, 2) and Jamaica (3, 6, 2).

From more than 100 countries that competed in Nairobi, 18 teams won gold medals, 35 won medals and 63 had top-eight finishes. Kenya, Finland, Nigeria and Botswana were among the countries that had their best ever world U-20 championships. Namibia and Israel won their first gold medals and Cyprus won its first medal.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe hailed the athletes, teams and organisers for their dedication and determination to make this a successful event despite the logistical challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The championships were broadcast to more than 70 countries around the world and every other country had access to a livestream on World Athletics’ YouTube channel. 

"These championships have not just taken place, they have been highly successful," Coe said. "We have all been so impressed with the range and depth of talent we have seen from these young athletes. 

Many of the younger athletes who have featured in Nairobi will also have the chance to compete at the next World Athletics U20 Championships, being held in Cali, Colombia, next year. The flag was passed from Nairobi to Cali during the closing ceremony in Kasarani Stadium. 

The World Athletics U20 Championships in numbers:

 RECORDS SET

4 world U-20 records

Sasha Zhoya of Franze in the 110m hurdles - 12.93 semi-finals and 12.72 final

Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m relay – 42.94;

South Africa in the men’s 4x100m relay – 38.51

15 championship records

Anthony Pesela (Botswana) in the men’s 400m - 44.58

Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) in the men’s 800m – 1:43.76

Tadese Worku (Ethiopia) in the men’s 3000m - 7:42.09

Sasha Zhoya (France) in the 110m hurdles - 12.93 and 12.72

Mykolas Alekna (Lithuania) in the men’s Discus Throw – 69.81

South Africa in the men’s 4x100m – 38.51

Christine Mboma (Namibia) 200m women 22.41 semifinal

Beatrice Masilingi (Namibia) 200m women 22.19 semifinal

Mboma 21.84 final in the women’s 200m

Silja Kosonen (Finland) in the women’s hammer - 71.64m

Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m – 42.94

Mixed 4x400m (new event) India in heat 1 - 3:23.36, Nigeria in heat 2 - 3:21.66 and Nigeria in final - 3:19.70)

 11 area U-20 records

Mire Reinstorf (South Africa) in the women’s pole vault – 4.15m

Mine De Klerk (South Africa) in the women’s discus – 53.50m

Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m – 42.94

Sasha Zhoya (France) in the 110m hurdles - 12.93 semifinal and 12.72 final

Men’s 4x100m Poland with 38.93 in the heat and 38.90 in the final

South Africa and Nigeria equal AR both 39.33 in the heats, South Africa 38.51 and Jamaica 38.61 in the final

 68 national U-20 records

10 national senior records

259 personal bests

Medals and Placings

-18 countries won gold medals (9 from Europe, 6 from Africa, 3 from the Americas) 

-35 countries won medals 

-63 countries finished in the top 8 (point scoring position) 

-Israel and Namibia have their first-ever world U-20 champions (Yonathan Kapitolnik in the men's high jump and Christine Mboma in the women's 200m). 

-Cyprus won its first medal (Styliana Ioannidou, bronze in the women’s high jump). 

-Hong Kong China, Kosovo, Malta, Oman and South Sudan have had their first finalists.

Statistics as shared by World Athletics