Athletes compete in the boys’ 5,000m at the World U20 trials/ TEDDY MULEIAthletics Kenya youth development chair Barnaba Korir has tipped Kenya’s 23-athlete squad for the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, to deliver a strong medal haul and uphold the nation’s proud tradition on the global stage.
Athletics Kenya wrapped up a two-day selection showdown at Nyayo National Stadium over the weekend, where the country’s brightest young prospects battled for coveted slots to fly the Kenyan flag in Eugene.
From the fiercely contested trials, the federation unveiled a 23-member squad that impressed on the track and will shoulder Kenya’s medal ambitions in Oregon.
Leading Kenya’s charge to Eugene are World U20 cross country champion Frankline Kibet and African U18 3,000m champion Cynthia Chepkurui.
The squad also boasts formidable strength in the distance events, featuring Mercy Chepng’eno, fresh from clinching silver at the African Championships in Accra, Ghana, alongside African U20 3,000m bronze medallist, Joyline Chepkemoi.
Korir expressed confidence that the youthful team possesses the quality and depth needed to deliver standout performances. “The team we have selected is very good. They are young and within the confines of the age requirements by World Athletics,” Korir said. Kenya currently sits second on the all-time medal standings since the World U20 Championships were first staged in 1986.
The athletics powerhouse has amassed 219 medals (92 gold, 73 silver and 54 bronze), trailing only the USA, who lead the historical charts with 279 medals comprising 123 gold, 88 silver and 68 bronze. The nation will be targeting improved fortunes from the last edition of the global junior showpiece held in Lima, Peru, in 2024.
In Lima, Kenya finished fifth overall with seven medals (three gold, three silver and one bronze). The USA topped the medal table with 16 medals, finishing ahead of China with 11 and Ethiopia with 10. The last time Kenya ruled the global U20 championships was on home soil in Nairobi in 2021, when the hosts stormed to the summit of the standings with 16 medals (eight gold, one silver and seven bronze), finishing ahead of Finland and Nigeria.
Korir, who also serves as the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) first vice president, underscored the importance of the World U20 Championships as a vital springboard into the senior ranks. “We want to nurture them well so that when they mature, they transition smoothly into the seniors.”
The selected athletes are now expected to head into residential camp, although Korir noted that those still in school will be granted flexibility to balance training with their academic commitments. “The selected athletes will go into residential camps to have enough time to prepare,” Korir said.
“The athletes who are in school, we will allow them to continue with school, and we will be training them from there.”
“It’s going to be tough, but we have to ensure the students continue with their education. We don’t want them to miss their classes.”
Further, the federation is moving swiftly to ensure the travelling team secures US visas well in advance.
“We held discussions with the US embassy about three weeks ago to talk about how we will acquire visas for the travelling team early enough.”
Korir also revealed that the selected squad underwent stringent screening on age eligibility and anti-doping compliance.
“We have been facing some problems in age manipulation and also doping matters, which explains why we had stringent measures in our selection.”
“We started preparing the athletes we invited for the trials last year to ensure they are all registered and working closely with the Ministry of Education.”
Kenya’s World U20 Championships Team – Eugene 2026
5,000m Girls:
Cynthia Chepkurui
Joyline Chepkemoi
5,000m Boys:
Nehemiah Kipng’eno
Frankline Kibet
3,000m Boys:
Emmanuel Kiprono
Elkanah Sanutia
3,000m Girls:
Faith Cherotich
Mercy Chepng’eno
1,500m Girls:
Josephine Sembeyo
Caren Chepchirchir
1,500m Boys:
Wilson Chepkwech
David Kapaiko
3,000m Steeplechase Girls:
Anatasha Cheptoo
Mercy Chepng’eno
3,000m Steeplechase Boys:
Emmanuel Lemiso
Nicholas Kitum
800m Girls:
Nancy Chepng’etich
Nancy Kibet
800m Boys:
Nashon Pkiach
Collins Tentera
100m Boys:
Louis Khawel
400m Girls:
Nancy Kibet
Judith Sapato
