The World Athletics U20 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya earned its place in the history books with four world U20 records, 15 championship records, 11 area U20 records, 68 national U20 records and 10 national senior records set.
The home team, Kenya, topped the medal table with eight gold, one silver and seven bronze medals, ahead of Finland (4, 1, 0), Nigeria (4, 0, 3), Ethiopia (3, 7, 2) and Jamaica (3, 6, 2).
From more than 100 countries that competed in Nairobi, 18 teams won gold medals, 35 won medals and 63 had top eight finishes.
For Ethiopia, Tadese Worku in the 3000 m, Ayal Dagnachew in the 800 meters race, and Mizan Alem in the 5000 m race won gold.
Wegene Adissu (1500 m), Ali Abdilmana (in 3000m), Tadese Worku (5000 m), Tadese Takele (3000 m steeplechase), Diribe Welteji (1500 m), Melknat Wudu (5000m), Zerfe Wondemagegn (3000 steeplechase) won silver medals, while Melkeneh Azize (1500m), Melknat Wudu (3000m) won bronze medals.
Kenya, Finland, Nigeria and Botswana were among the countries that had their best ever world U20 championships.
The World Athletics President Sebastian Coe hailed the athletes, teams and organizers for their dedication and determination.
“These championships have not just taken place, they have been highly successful,” Coe said, adding, “We have all been so impressed with the range and depth of talent we have seen from these young athletes. The next four years offer unprecedented opportunities for these future champions to move on to the senior World Championships and Olympic stages. I’m really looking forward to seeing many of these young champions rising through the senior ranks.”
