5-Year-Old Runs Several Laps, Wows Fans at Kenya’s Trials for World Athletics Championships
- A 5-year-old impressed fans at the Ulinzi Sports Complex with a brilliant performance on the track
- A video online showed the youngster comfortably running a lap while being loudly cheered by fans
- She ran after a team of 58 athletes was selected to represent Kenya at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
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A 5-year-old wowed fans at the Ulinzi Sports Complex following the Athletics Kenya trials for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, scheduled for September in Tokyo.
Source: Facebook
Kenyan athletes flocked to the Ulinzi Sports Complex for the trials for the World Athletics Championships, with several superstars in attendance, including two-time Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon.
How did 5-year-old impress at Kenya trials?
In a video shared online, the 5-year-old, identified as Leah, completed a 400m race and had to be stopped at the finish line.
Leah ran steadily around the track, her small strides captivating the crowd. As more people noticed her, the cheers grew louder, filling the stadium with excitement.
When she crossed the finish line, an official tried to stop her, but Leah, full of determination, refused to slow down and kept running as the crowd roared in support.
Some fans were not happy that Leah was stopped. She later met the newly elected NOCK- Olympics Kenya vice president, Barnaba Korir.
How did fans react to Leah's performance?
@RachaelMaina:
"I love her confidence, courage and determination...She demanded for a second lap🤣🤣🤣👌👌Born athelete."
@AfandeCele:
"Wale wanaume walikua wanazuia huyu mtoi kukimbia ndio waliniudhi sana..little champion alikua amepiga hesabu zake za laps..mandume wakamtoa kwa track by force..Waliniudhi sana."
@GardJakait:
"She was determined even to make ten laps if not carried out by one official. She deserved the ticket as l was there watching her."
@KipkemoiRutoh:
"She should be given free ticket to go to Tokyo to represent us."
@TabithaKabuku:
"This girl love running imagine she skipped school just to be there, Beatrice Chebet please be her mentor if possible!!"
Which athletes will represent Kenya?
Kenya won three gold medals at the Budapest edition in 2023. Kipyegon won two, while Mary Moraa won the other one.
Source: Twitter
Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi are the biggest stars who will represent Kenya in Tokyo. A total of 58 athletes will wear the Kenyan colours in Tokyo.
"Running alongside Janet and Agnes was amazing. We were running as a team to see how we are going to operate at the World Championships in Tokyo," said Chebet.
Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich, sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala, Timothy Cheruiyot, and Nelly Chepchirchir will also represent Kenya.
"I have been working on improving my speed in the final 100m, so I made sure to push hard for a good position. I am satisfied now because for the past two weeks, I could hardly sleep; this race was all I could think about," said Reynold Cheruyiot, who qualified for the 1500m.
The trials come at a time when an increasing number of Kenyan athletes are being caught up in doping scandals, casting a shadow over the country’s athletic reputation.
Main Kenyan stars to watch in Tokyo
The obvious pick would be Kipyegon, who will be aiming to defend her 1500m and 5000m crowns.
Chebet is also a hotshot, having won two Olympic gold medals in Paris last year. She is also the world record holder in the events she will be competing in.
Wanyonyi is another strong medal hopeful. The 20-year-old has grown from strength to strength, and he will be looking to go one place better than the silver medal he won in Budapest. He is the reigning Olympic champion in the men's 800.
Phanuel Kosgei has also captured the world's attention this season with brilliant performances in the 1500m.
Ruth Chepng'etich suspended for positive doping test
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) suspended Ruth Chepngetich for testing positive for a banned substance.
The Kenyan star set the current world record in the women's marathon in October last year, which is now tainted.
She is facing a two-year suspension, but her case has tarnished Kenya's image in the sport.
Martin Moses, the head of Sports desk, contributed to this article by adding details about the Kenyan stars to watch in Tokyo.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
