Dennis Kipkoech (023) at the Afraha Stadium/ HANDOUT
Fresh from his maiden Diamond League appearance in Stockholm, World Under-20 3,000m silver medallist Dennis Kipkoech sizzled to win the 5,000m at the Africa U-18/U-20 Championships trials on Friday at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru.
The 19-year-old timed 13:42.37 to top the U-20 category, well clear of Franklin Kibet (13:45.08) and Ronald Koech (13:45.87).
In the process, Kipkoech sealed his ticket to the CAA African U-18/U-20 Championships set for July 16–20 in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
“I am glad I won although my body had some fatigue due to the races I had taken part in,” Kipkoech said. “However, I decided to push myself and go for the win.”
Kipkoech made his Diamond League debut in Stockholm on Sunday, where he clocked an impressive 13:07.02 for sixth place in a world-class 5,000m field.
The race was won by Sweden’s Andreas Almgren in a jaw-dropping national record of 12:44.27, ahead of Ethiopia’s Kuma Girma (12:57.46) and Australia’s Ky Robinson (12:58.38).
Earlier, Kipkoech had placed third at a high-calibre meet in France, timing 13:16.38 behind Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga (13:12.48) and Ireland’s Darragh McElhinney (13:16.26).
He opened his senior season with a sensational victory at the Zagreb Meeting on May 24, where he outsprinted compatriot Andrew Alamisi (13:03.30) and Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary (13:03.57) to win in 13:03.17.
As he gears up for Nigeria, Kipkoech is fine-tuning key elements of his race execution.
“I want to work on my race strategy and speed before Nigeria,” he said.
Runner-up Kibet is also optimistic ahead of the continental showpiece.
“I will head back to training to work on my speed. I want to be better prepared for Nigeria,” said the youngster.
Third-placed Koech was thrilled with his podium finish.
“I executed my race well and I’m happy with the result. My focus now is improving my finishing speed to ensure I come back from Nigeria with a medal,” he said.
Lemotit-based Cynthia Chepkirui continued her superb form, cruising to victory in the women’s race in 15:37.82 ahead of Joyline Chepkemoi (15:44.83) and Sharon Chepkemoi (15:47.13).
Chepkurui has promised to return with a medal from Nigeria.
“The race was not easy, but I persevered and I was able to win. I promise I will come back with a medal from Nigeria," she said.
Chepkirui has been in sensational form since clinching the Great Chepsaita U-20 6km race in 21:17.
Her 2025 track campaign has seen her win the 1,500m at the fifth AK weekend meet (4:21.42) and 5,000m (15:44.81) in the sixth.
She was fourth in the 5,000m race at the Kip Keino Classic, clocking 15:24.30.
Joyline Chepkemoi, inspired by world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet, targets improvement in training.
“Beatrice has been my mentor and I look up to her. We train with her sometimes and I believe I can run like her and accomplish what she has,” she said.
She hopes to build on her finishing kick before the continental showpiece.
“My focus in training will be on my finishing kick. The endurance is already there, so I just have to sharpen the speed,” she said.
Kelvin Kiprop clocked 8:02.54 to win the 3,000m U-18 boys’ race ahead of Emmanuel Rono (8:02.90) and Kelvin Kipkosgei (8:19.37).
