Athletics Kenya (AK) has selected the teams to next month's 6th IAAF World Youth Championships 'Südtirol 2009' in Bressanone, Italy (8 to 12 July) and the African Junior Championships in Mauritius later in the year, David Macharia reports for the IAAF.
The teams, selected at the end of a one-day trials meet held at the Nyayo stadium, Nairobi, include several top names including multiple national junior 800m champion Winny Chebet, who is going to represent her country in the Area Junior champs.
She won her event by running 2:05.5 beating Eunice Sum of South Rift by 2:07.7. Third was Cherono Koech in 2:07.9, a time that won her a place in the team for the World Youth Champs.
Other Italian bound athletes are Jackline Chepng'eno of South Rift will be the flag bearer in the 3000m in Italy after she finished third yesterday in 9:07.3 behind World Junior champion Mercy Cherono (8:56.0) and Purity Cherotich of Primary Schools, 9:03.7. Cherotich is also headed for Bressanone.
Nelly Chebet, a member of the Kenyan team at this year's World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, who won the 1500m in 4:23.7 and so will go to Italy. Second placed Fancy Cherotich of secondary schools was second in 4:25.1 and she is to head to Mauritius.
John Kemboi comfortably won the 10,000m in 28:09.3, to be in the Africa Junior team. He beat secondary schools team mate Peter Kimeli who clocked 28:10.8. Third was Titus Mbishei 28:14.9 in a race that saw all top three runners go under the Africa Junior championships qualifying time of 30:00.0.
The Boy’s 3000m Steeplechase was won by World junior champion Jonathan Muia Ndiku in 8:28.1. Africa Junior champion Elizabeth Mueni won the Girl’s 3000m Steeplechase in 9:52.8 ahead of Purity Cherotich 10:02.0 and Joan Chepkemboi 10:29.6.
Team to Sudtirol 2009
Boys
400mH Jeremiah Mutai, Cornelius Kiplagat, 3000m Isaiah Koech David Bett, 100m Victor Oseko, 400m Anthony Chemut, Nathan Kibiwott, 1500 Caleb Mwangangi Gideon Mageka, 800 Nicholas KIplagat, Peter Lagat, 2000m s/c peter Lagat Hillary Yego
Girls
3000m Purity Cherotich, Jackline Chepngeno 1500 Nelly Chebet, Stella Chebet, 2000m sc Beatrice Kiprop, Lucia Muia, 800 Cherono Koech, Margaret Chelimo
Team to Mauritius
Men
10,000 John Kemboi, Peter KImeli, 5000m Kennedy Kithuka, John Nzau, 1500 James Magut, Nixon Chepseba, 800m Nixon Tanui, David Mutinda, 3000m SC JOnathan Muia, Stephen Kiprotich.
Women
3000m mercy Cherono Valentine Kipketer, 1500m Fancy Cherotich Vicoty Chepngeno, 3000m SC Elizabeth Mueni Purity Cherotich, 5000 Jackline Chebii, Esther Chemutai, 800 Winny Chebet Sheila Chepkirui, 400m Betty Chelagat.
*Image courtesy David Macharia and IAAF*