8 DAYS TO GO
Ngeno Kipngetich (born August 17, 2000) is a middle-distance runner from Kenya who specializes in the 800 meters. He competed in the 2019 World Championships for his country, reaching the semifinals. He also finished second in the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships.
When Kipng'etich Ng'eno lined up at the national trials, the possibility of competing at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar seemed a far-fetched reality. The 800m race was widely regarded as the most competitive event at the trials, and it was one of the only events that drew a large number of competitors, forcing them to compete in the preliminary round. Ngeno would go on to win the race, defeating a tough field that included Africa silver medalist Emmanuel Korir, Ferguson Rotich, Commonwealth Games winner Wycliffe Kinyamal, and African Games silver medalist Cornelius Tuwei, among others, securing a berth at Doha.
Ngeno raced 1:44.57 to beat his previous personal best of 1:45.25, fulfilling his primary goal while also receiving a significant bonus: a ticket to Doha. “My goal was to run under 1:45 so that I could compete in the IAAF Diamond League Series field next season, as we had planned with my manager,” he added.
Ng'eno says he draws inspiration from global 800m record holder David Rudisha, who last won a gold medal for Kenya in the event at the 2015 championships, while training in Kericho County under the watchful eye of Gabriel Kiptonui. The Sotit High School alumnus will be attempting to write his name in the history books as the first-born child in a family of six.
Solomon Lekuta (born October 3, 1999) is a Kenyan athlete who competes on a national and international level. His most recent triumphs were in the World Junior Championships 2018 in the men's 800 m and the World Junior Championships 2018 in the men's 800 m - semi-final 1 in the men's 800 m. He competes in the 800 meter dash.
Lekuta is hoping to emulate his namesake, World Record Holder David Lekuta Rudisha, and become a household name in the two-lap event. Lekuta, who competed for Kenya at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, says he closely follows his idol and hopes that when he hangs up his spikes, his name will be the next one to send shivers down the spine.
“It's a source of motivation for me since I've always looked up to him. He has done a fantastic job for his country, making it the best in the world, and I aspire to be just like him one day. Although many people believe we are connected, we are not. But sharing names with him is a wonderful thing,” Lekuta told Capital Sport.
With times of 1min 46.35sec and 1:46.45sec, Lekuta and teammate Ngeno Kipngetich gave their country a third consecutive one-two finish in the event. In the Ratina Stadium, Lekuta was just the better team down the home straight. "I'm overjoyed with the gold medal, but the competition was fierce because everyone wanted it," Lekuta remarked.
Taking the lead from the start, Lekuta blitzed over the first 200m in 25 seconds and then settled down slightly, reaching 400m just behind Ethiopia's Adisu Girma, who finished in 52.17 with a swarm of competitors trailing him. As the finish line came, Lekuta had just enough left in his legs to bring himself to the front, and he crossed in 1:46.35.
Kenya's third consecutive one-two finish in the event was secured by Kipngetich, who finished in 1:46.45. “The last 200 meters were brutal,” Kipngetich remarked. “I am honored to have been able to bring the silver medal to my country. Kenya had a strong race overall, winning two medals.”