Cheruiyot, Kimaiyo grab 1500m gold and bronze at WU20 Championships in Cali
“The race was so fine for me today, I could have handled any challenge,” said Cheruiyot. “I'm feeling so proud.”
Kenya's Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot left his rivals trailing, clocking 3:35.83 to win the men's 1500m gold medal at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on Thursday morning, with Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma second in 3:37.24 and another Kenyan, Daniel Kimaiyo third in 3:37.43.
Kimaiyo had thrown caution to the wind early in the race, ensuring it would be a fast one, passing 400m in 55.65, which is also known as sub-3:30 pace. They slowed on the second lap, passing 800m in 1:55.93, and Adihana Kasaye of Ethiopia swept to the front with a little over a lap to run. Cheruiyot attacked on the back straight and Kasaye held him off, but in the home straight Cheruiyot kicked it into overdrive and said a swift adios to his rivals, drawing a whopping 1.4 seconds clear – demonstrating the kind of kick that could take him an awfully long way at senior level.
“The race was so fine for me today, I could have handled any challenge,” said Cheruiyot. “I'm feeling so proud.”
