Kenya’s under-20, under-18 return home with 37 medals after dominating East and Central Africa Athletics Championships

After topping the regional under-20 and under-18 with 37 medals-24 gold, 10 silver and 3 bronze in Tanzania, Kenya now trains its gun towards the Africa Junior Athletics Championship set for Zambia in April 29 to May 3.

The team arrived in the country yesterday after emerging victorious from the two-day championships that attracted six countries.

Mercy Chepkemei, Peninah Mutisya and Judy Kemunto, who swept all the podium places in women’s under-20 1,500m final to wrap up the last day in style will be again hunting for ticket to Lusaka continental contest at the Junior trials set for March 24-25 at Nyayo Stadium.

Some of the notable performance includes Kenya’s Jensine Ligoo who scaled 4.49metres to snatch girls’ under-18 long jump title, beating Tanzanians duo Siwema Matomgoro and Elizabeth Kiraryo to second and third places in 4.47 and 4.36 respectively will be hoping to continue with similar performance to ensure she get the slot to Africa Championships.
“I had prepared well going to the championships, so my performance was not a fluke. I get a few days rest then embark on preparations towards the trials,” said Ligoo.

Justus Muasya, a form four student at Kyome Secondary School in Makueni who won double gold in 5000m and 4x4m said he now putw African title in crosshair.

“I’m still not yet decided which event I will be contesting between 5000m and 10000m, but I can assure that whatever event I will line up in, I will deliver victory.

Athletics Kenya Youth Development Chairman Barnaba Korir praised the youngsters and promised Kenyans should have similar results at continental level.

“These are future stars, we must go to Zambia and sweep all the titles, we will beat South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana and Ethiopia. As a federation we will ensure good performance as well as urge the athletes to continue with school,” said Korir when he welcomed the team from Dar es Salaam.

At the same time, a team of junior athletes returned to the country on Saturday after a month-long specialized training in Miramas, France.

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