Bathurst World Cross Country Under 20 champion, Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui, and Commonwealth Games Youth silver medallist, Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi, are gearing up to reclaim the 5,000m title at the upcoming World Under 20 Championships, scheduled for August 27-31 in Lima, Peru.

Kipkurui, a Form Four candidate at Sinonin Secondary School in Baringo County, is eager to make his debut in the Under 20 track events after missing the Cali Championships last year due to injury. Despite not defending his World Cross Country title earlier this year, the 19-year-old is determined to secure his first international track title.

“I had prepared well for the World Cross Country trials, but I suffered an injury just before the event. Although I still competed and finished sixth, my injury worsened during the training camp. Despite this setback, I didn’t give up and competed, although I couldn’t finish the race to defend my title,” Kipkurui explained.

After the World Cross Country event, Kipkurui took time off to recover from his injury and pursued another opportunity to represent Kenya at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Although he didn’t qualify, he later secured a spot on the Under 20 team for the World Championships.

“This will be my first time competing in the Under 20 track events. I’ve previously represented Kenya in cross country, which is quite different, but I’m confident of positive results if everything goes well,” Kipkurui added.

Kipkurui discovered his athletic talent while at Sinendet Primary School, although he initially didn’t take it seriously. His interest in athletics grew after participating in school county games and advancing to the regional level, where he was discovered by coach Kitilit, who nurtures talent at Sinonin Training Camp, formerly known as Torongo.

Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi, Kipkurui’s partner in the 5,000m race, was initially shy during his primary school days, despite recognizing his talent. He finally found the courage to pursue athletics after joining Form One at St. Peter’s Keberesi Secondary School in Kisii County, a school renowned for nurturing athletic talent.

Alamisi continued training at the school, although his progress was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He later transferred to Sugutek Secondary School, where he took athletics more seriously and earned his first silver medal in the 3,000m at the Africa Under 18 Championships in Zambia in 2023. That same year, he also won silver medals in the 1,500m and 3,000m races at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

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