Lead image for Frankline Kibet wins Kenya’s first gold medal at World Under-20 Athletics Championships .
Frankline Kibet led a Kenyan 1-2 in the men’s 5000 metres final, clocking 13 minutes and 28.27 seconds to win Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday.
Nehemiah Kipngeno made it a Kenyan 1-2 finish, taking silver in 13:30.09 in a dominant display of front-running and teamwork.
Afterwards, Kibet said Kenyan athletes were forced to change tack in the race to tame their opponents.
“Teamwork played a critical role in winning the medals and we are so proud of our performance because we wanted to remain on top of the word. We changed tactics to win,” Kibet said after the race.
Ethiopia’s Mamaru Goadie pushed the Kenyans all the way and appeared a big threat, but he faded off with one lap to go and eventually finished fifth. His compatriot Damitew Kebede timed 13:35.38 for third place.
Kenya’s Andrew Alamisi won men’s 5000m race in the 2024 edition of the championship held in Lima, Peru.
Kibet, a Form Three Student at St Peter’s Kapkecha Secondary School in West Pokot, led Kenya to a podium sweep at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida in January. He arrived in Eugene as the man to beat.
At the same time, Collins Tentera and Nashon Pkiach of Kenya both qualified for the semi-finals of men’s 800m race.