By Robert Kibet
Kenya’s Caren Jepchirchir opened the country’s medal tally in style, storming to gold in the U18 girls’ 1500m final at the CAA African Junior Athletics Championships at the OMK stadium, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
In a dramatic, high-stakes showdown between Kenya and Ethiopia, Caren delivered a perfectly timed sprint finish to win Kenya’s first gold medal on day one of the competition.
From the opening gun, Caren confidently took charge, working in tandem with compatriot Millicent Chepkonga as they exchanged leads with two Ethiopian rivals. By the second lap, it was clear this was a classic East African showdown.
“It’s a game of Kenyans and Ethiopians—it feels inbred!” exclaimed commentators, reflecting on the familiar duel that has defined African middle-distance dominance. As the bell rang for the final lap, the Ethiopians surged to the front, but Caren remained composed, slicing between them with grit and tactical precision.
With 200 meters to go, the race became a tense three-way battle. Caren found another gear on the final curve, accelerating powerfully to create a gap that would not be closed.
She crossed the finish line in 4:10.70, a clear winner and national hero, as cheers rang out from Kenyan teammates in the terraces. The Ethiopian duo settled for silver and bronze, while Millicent placed a strong fourth.
Draped in the Kenyan flag, her teammate Chepkonga embracing her, Jepchirchi was seen capturing the celebratory moment with a smartphone as history was made on the track.
Meanwhile, in the men’s U20 1500m final, Kenya’s Lawi Ng’etich, a recent signing for Arizona State University, ran a smart and assertive race to clinch gold for Kenya, cementing his growing status as a top-tier collegiate recruit. Lawi held off a spirited challenge from his countryman Edwin Elkanah, who took silver after a strong finish.
University of Oklahoma’s Ronald Ng’etich, also representing Kenya, capped a strong Kenyan showing by securing bronze in the under-20 men 10000m race, as Edwin Elakanah took silver as Uganda’s Samuel Cherop won gold.
The podium silver and bronze sweep for Kenya in this event underlined the country’s continued dominance in the 10000m and highlighted the pipeline of young talent emerging through both local and international athletics systems.
With Jepchirchir’s breakthrough victory and Lawi’s composed brilliance, Kenya’s junior squad has made a bold statement in Abeokuta: the next generation is ready and they’re winning.
In the women’s 3000m under20 category, Kenya’s Joyline Chepkemoi, one of the team’s captains, brought Kenya bronze to add to the medal tally for Kenya.
