Abdisa Fayisa celebrates winning the world U20 1500m title in Lima (© Oscar Munoz Badilla)
A thrilling men’s 1500m final – won by Ethiopia’s Abdisa Fayisa ahead of Australia’s Cameron Myers – proved the highlight of the men’s action on the final day of the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24 on Saturday (31).
Right up to the dying strides, the fate of the gold medal was still unknown, with Myers and Fayisa engaging in a tactical chess game over the first three laps and then going to war, mano a mano, down the home straight. Fayisa proved the stronger and got the gold in 3:40.51 to add to his silver in the 5000m. Myers clocked 3:40.60 in second while Spain’s Alex Pintado came through strongly for bronze in 3:41.03.
The early pace was steady, Uganda’s Jacob Sande towing the field through 400m in 61.44 before Myers took over, passing 800m in 2:02.60. He had to lift the pace a couple of times in the lap that followed, Kenya’s Josphat Kipkirui launching an attack approaching the bell, but the Australian held him off, hitting 1200m in 2:58.54 then shifting through the remaining gears. He burnt off Kipkirui around the last bend but Fayisa was sitting in his slipstream, waiting, and he went for broke as they turned for home, sending this title back to Ethiopia for the first time ever.
In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, the world was introduced to two teenagers who could well ascend to greatness at senior level, Edmund Serem and Matthew Kosgei. They maintained Kenya’s proud tradition in the event by leading the field home, the 17th time in 20 editions the gold has been won by a Kenyan.
“We have been training well in our camp so I knew that I was in good shape,” said Serem, the Kenyan team captain. “But I was not sure if I was going to win.”
The pair took command from the outset, towing the field through a swift 2:47.66 first kilometre before cranking up the pace further past halfway. Kosgei led through 2000m in 5:34.97 and by then, they had only Ethiopia’s Hailu Ayalew for company. But they shook him off with 500 metres to run and entering the back straight for the final time, Serem made his decisive move, powering clear to win in a world U20 lead of 8:15.28, with Kosgei second in 8:17.46 and Ayalew third in 8:24.08 – the first eight athletes setting PBs.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, USA’s Vance Nilsson produced an upset from the inside lane, powering through over the final two barriers to hit the line in a world U20 lead of 49.26, the first time in 12 years the title has been won by a US athlete.
Nilsson had only advanced to the final as a time qualifier after finishing third in his semifinal in 49.82. Michal Rada of Czechia finished a close second in a national U20 record of 49.30, with Finland’s Antti Sainio taking bronze in 49.61.
“I love this sport so much, it is practically my entire life at this point,” said Nilsson, who was overjoyed at his victory. “If you have something that you are truly passionate about, go for it. Don't just go halfway: go for it 100% and maybe you can get to where I am as well or better.”
USA’s Bryce Ruland announced himself as a potential star by unleashing a PB of 62.59m to take victory in the men’s discus, the 17-year-old’s opening throw proving good enough for gold. Shot put champion Jarno van Daalen of the Netherlands set a PB in second of 62.22m, just ahead of Finland’s Mico Lampinen. Ukraine’s Mykhailo Brudin, who won bronze two years ago and since set a PB of 66.58m, was below his best in fourth with 61.69m.
“I went big with my first one and it pretty much won,” said Ruland, who said the best memory he’ll take from Lima is “hanging out with all the throwers. They're a great group of people.”
The men’s 4x100m saw Jamaica snatch gold with a heroic final leg from Deandre Daley, who overcame a massive deficit to run down Great Britain and Northern Ireland to win in 39.18, the frustration of a fourth-place finish in the 100m quickly dissipating for Daley, who was ably backed up by teammates Jace Witter, Gary Card and Nyrone Wade.
Britain’s quartet of Jake Odey-Jordan, Joel Masters, Dean Patterson and Teddy Wilson claimed silver in 39.20, while Thailand – which had never won a medal before this week at the World U20 Championships – earned its second in four days, with Puripol Boonson – the 100m silver medallist – rocketing home from lane eight to snatch bronze in a national record of 39.39. He was soon joined in the celebrations by teammates Wirayat Daenkhanob, Sarawut Nuansi and Chutithat Pruksorranan. France came home just behind in fourth with 39.43.
USA turned in a dominant performance to claim gold in the concluding men’s 4x400m, their quartet of Jayden Davis, Xavier Donaldson, Alexander Rhodes and 400m bronze medallist Sidi Njie clocking 3:03.56 to come home well clear of the South African quartet of Bryan Katoo, Sihle Mahlangu, Njabulo Mbatha and Udeme Okon (3:05.22). Australia’s team of Caleb Kilpatrick, Jett Grundy, Jack Deguara and Jordan Gilbert took bronze with 3:05.53. It was the 16th time in 20 editions USA had won this title.
Cathal Dennehy for World Athletics