Final Day Highlights from the World Athletics Junior Championships

Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill won the gold medal in the 100 metres hurdles setting a championship record of 12.77 on the final day of the World Under 20 Championships at the Pascal Guerrero Stadium in Cali. Hill moved up to fifth on the world all-time list. Hill’s compatriot Alexis James improved her PB to 12.87 to claim the silver medal. Anna Toth from Hungary took the bronze medal setting a national record of 13.00.

Hill, a student at Hydel High School, ran the third leg of the Jamaican team, who won the 4×100 relay gold in a world-leading time of 42.59. 

Kerrica Hill: “I did not expect a championship record. I expected some records but I was just focused on winning. My success last night was inspiring because it helped me come out here and do my very best”. 

Hill’s win crowned a very successful edition for the Jamaican team, that placed second in the medal table behind the United States with a total of 16 medals (six gold, seven silver and three bronze). Jamaica dominated women’s sprint with the wins achieved by Tina Clayton in the 100 metres, Brianna Lyston in the 200 metres and in the 4×100 relay. 

Ethiopia won four medals in the space of just 65 minutes on the final day in the women’s 1500 metres, in the men’s 800 metres, in the women’s 5000 metres and in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase. 

Women’s 1500 metres: 

Birke Haylom claimed the women’s 1500 metres in a championship record of 4:04.27, beating Brenda Chebet and defending champion Purity Chepkirui, who improved their PBs to 4:04.64 and 4:07.64 respectively. 

Birke Haylom: “It’s the first time I won a medal for my country. It’s a huge honour for me”. 

Men’s 800 metres: 

Ermias Girma from Ethiopia won the metres 800 metres in 1:47.36 a few days after finishing second in the 1500 metres. Girma improved his PB to 1:44.36 in Lokeren earlier this summer. Heithem Chenitef won the silver medal in a lifetime best of 1:47.65. Ethan Hussey from Great Britain took bronze in 1:47.65 holding off Kacper Lewalski (1:47.84). Pre-event favourite Noah Kibet from Kenya, who finished third at last year’s World Under 20 Championships in Nairobi and won the world indoor silver medal in Belgrade last March, had to settle with seventh place with 1:48.50. 

Women’s 5000 metres: 

Medina Eisa from Ethiopia won the women’s 5000 metres in 15.29.71 edging her compatriot Melknat Wudu (15:30.06) and Uganda’s Prisca Chesang (15:31.17). Agate Caune finished fourth in a lifetime best of…