kenya’s Samuel Kibathi produced a well-timed finish to win double U20 men’s gold at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24, this ensured the individual and team titles remained in Kenyan possession.

The win came as a consolation after Ethiopians outshined Kenya to clinch a podium finish in the U20 women’s race where, Sheila Chebet was Kenya’s best performer, clocking 19:45 to finish fourth.

Kibathi led the pack into the last lap and clocked 22:40 to cross the finish line first, ahead of Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime who timed 22:41 in second, while Kibathi’s compatriot Kipruto claimed bronze in 22:46.

“It was my first world championships, so it means a lot to me to win here,” said Kibathi in a post-race interview with World Athletics, the African U20 10,000m bronze medallist. “The pace was very fast and it almost ruined my plans for this race. I had planned to stay behind and attack at the finish. It was so tough and so hard, I feel exhausted now. But it means a lot to me, I wanted this so much so I was pushing fast towards the finish.

“I am going back to Japan now, then I plan on preparing for the Kenyan Olympic trials. My dream for the future is to win an Olympic and world title. I believe this can be a good start for my future career.”

Kenya managed to retain the title with six men in the top six and Ethiopia, with four finishers in the top eight, took team silver while Uganda – led by 11th-place finisher Cherop – earned team bronze.