Mary Moraa in Girls 400m. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
World Javelin champion Julius Yego has praised the talent exhibited by Kenya’s teenage athletes in the unpopular events at the ongoing IAAF World Under-18 championships at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Kenya is well-known for middle and long distance running that has earned the country accolades globally but the U18 athletes are rocking the stadium in sprints and field events as they seek to unearth the next generation of world beaters.
Yego, who pioneered the javelin mastery in Kenya after learning the ropes on Youtube to eventually rise to become the world champion and Olympic silver medallist, said the young athletes have proved that Kenya has the potential to perform well in field disciplines.
“I am just amazed and impressed by the young ones who are re-defining athletics in Kenya. They are performing well in the events that have received little or no attention in Kenya,” Yego said as reported by the Star.
Kenya impressively affirmed their authority in the new category (sprints) with Mary Moraa and Sharon Jebet winning their respective heats to qualify for the 400m girls semis scheduled for today.
Kelvin Sawe Tauta also sparkled in the boys 400m winning heat three while David Sanayek placed second in heat four.
According to Yego, the country should invest in the necessary facilities to bring up talents in sprints and field events.
“This is the beginning of their career and they have proved that Kenya is capable. The government need to focus their energy in these sports,” Yego added.
He hopes that the youngsters can follow him and the likes of Nicholas Bett, who surprised the world when he won the 400m hurdles world title at the 2015 Beijing Championships while Boniface Mucheru earned silver in the same event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.