The battle for superiority between East Africa’s athletics powerhouses, Kenya and Ethiopia, was reignited in full force as the men’s 5000m final, women’s 3000m final and men’s 1500m heats featured on Thursday (19), day two of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi.
After Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku stole the show on day one by inspiring a 1-2 for his country in the men’s 3000m, the host country came battle-ready this time around, leaving no stone unturned to ensure they won both gold medals at stake in the men’s 5000m final and women’s 3000m final.
Meanwhile, it was a historic night for Botswana as the country won its first ever 100m medal at the World U20 Championships or any global championship for that matter. Having clocked two national U20 records the previous day, Letsile Tebogo had already cemented his place as the man to beat and he did not falter, despite the harsh conditions caused by rainfall. Although he left the blocks a little late, the 18-year-old had enough steam to power to his first global title with a time of 10.19. South Africa’s Benjamin Richardson won the silver in 10.28 as Cuba’s Shainer Rengifo Montoya was more than happy with his bronze medal, which he claimed with 10.32.
“I had to finish what I already started,” said Tebogo. “I’m really proud of myself because we need to change how the books are. Now Botswana has their first gold medal from the World U20 Championships.
“I know the people back home are very happy. This gold medal is for my mum, my coach and personal trainer. I can’t celebrate yet because I have the 200m tomorrow. Having the gold medal in the 100m is an advantage because some of my rivals are really scared since they do not know what I’m going to do in the 200m.”
The 200m semi-finals are later today at 1605 hours.
For the complete article: http://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/nairobi21/news/report/day-two-afternoon-track-report-nairobi-world-u20
