Kenya produced a strong showing at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, finishing second overall on the global medal table and emerging as the best-performing African nation.
The Kenyan team collected 11 medals , four gold, three silver and four bronze , to finish behind hosts United States of America in the overall standings.
The performance marked a significant improvement from the previous edition of the championships in Lima, Peru, where Kenya finished fifth overall.
The juniors also stole the show with Emmanuel Kiprono producing one of the standout performances of the championships. Kiprono delivered a sensational run in the 3,000m, clocking 7:28.28 to set a new championship record in a race that produced several personal bests.
The juniors returned home on Thursday to a heroic reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where they were celebrated for their outstanding performance in the traditional Kenyan style of dance and Mursik.
Kenya’s medal haul in Eugene once again underlined the country’s strength in producing world-class athletics talent, with the junior athletes delivering impressive performances against some of the world’s best emerging stars.
- Gold Medals:
- Josephine Sembeyo (women’s 1,500m),
- Wilson Chepkwach (men’s 1,500m),
- Emmanuel Kiprono (men’s 3,000m),
- Frankline Kibet (men’s 5,000m).
- Silver Medals:
- David Kapaiko (men’s 1,500m),
- Nehemiah Kipng’eno (men’s 5,000m),
- Emmanuel Lemiso (men’s 3,000m steeplechase).
- Bronze Medals:
- Nicholas Kitum (men’s 3,000m steeplechase),
- Caren Chepchirchir (women’s 1,500m),
- Joyline Chepkemoi (women’s 5,000m),
- Anatasha Cheptoo (women’s 3,000m steeplechase).
