A team of 12 athletes – nine males and three females represented Uganda at the IAAF World U-18 Championships held at the Moi International Sports Complex Kasarani.
Star runner Joel Kiplagat (2000m steeplechase) just like his country finished a distant 7th without any medals as curtains over the weekend closed down the event that was being used to prepare for the IAAF World U20 Championships due to take place in 2019 in Helsinki, Finland.
Kiplagat (five minutes, 55.25 seconds) raced on Saturday could not match Kenya’s Leonard Kipkemboi Bett (5:33:7), Kandie Meyan (5:33:07) and Ethiopia’s Alemu Kitessa (5:42:10).
Ritah Alupo competed in the 200m while the pair of Sarah Chelengat (knocked as many as 15.56 seconds off her personal best time to set a new one of 9:40.18) and Esther Chekwemoi ran the 3000m SC race.
The youngster Eric Layeng who stands at 6 feet tall ran the 400m.
Daniel Kiprop and Hosea Kiplangat took on the 1500m while Oscar Chelimo and Titus Kwemoi will flew the flag in the men’s 3000m. Joel Kiplangat and Vincent Chemutai run the 2000m SC.
After the three days of action, hosts Kenya finished fourth with a total of 15 medals; four gold, seven silver and four bronze.
Coach Alex Malinga’s Uganda without any podium finish managed to collect only 20 points while the likes of South Africa scooped 11 medals (5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze), China also had five golds, two silvers and four bronze.
The absence of the US and Britain from the event appeared to have worked in favour of South Africa which won most sprints which are historically dominated by the two countries.
A total of 131 countries participated in the five day event which recorded the highest turn out in a youth and junior championship.
