EUGENE, Oregon, USA — Kenya’s Josephine Sembeyo Mancha produced a determined late surge to win the women’s 1,500m gold medal at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, as Caren Chepchirchir added bronze in the same race.
Mancha, a Form Four student at AIC Loitokitok in Kajiado County, clocked 4:01.07 to withstand a strong challenge from home favourite Claire Stegall and reclaim the world junior 1,500m title for Kenya.
The Kenyan took control of the race around the 700m mark before Stegall moved past her with about 400m remaining. Mancha responded by digging deep in the final stages and produced a powerful sprint to the finish.
Stegall finished second, just 0.04 seconds behind the Kenyan, while Chepchirchir claimed bronze in 4:17.50.
The victory capped a memorable junior career for Mancha, who turned 19 two days before her triumph and now looks ahead to competing at senior level.
Mancha dedicates victory to mother
Speaking after the race, Mancha dedicated her gold medal to her mother, Naomi Mancha, whom she credited for providing constant support and inspiration throughout her athletics journey.
“I dedicate the win to my mom, Naomi Mancha; she has been of great support to me and a source of inspiration. I spoke to her yesterday night; she was asking me when I am running because she wanted to watch me,” Mancha said.
The Kenyan said her victory could inspire more young girls from Kajiado to pursue education and athletics.
“My win will motivate so many young girls in Kajiado. If I have made it today, even they can manage, and I urge parents not to force girls into early marriages and allow them to get an education,” she said.
Mancha said she intends to compete in both the 800m and 1,500m during the Athletics Kenya weekend meets as she begins her transition to senior competition.
Her long-term ambition is to compete alongside her mentor and Olympic and world champion Faith Kipyegon, while targeting selection for Kenya’s teams at the 2027 World Championships and 2028 Olympic Games.
She also thanked Kajiado Governor Katoo Ole Metito for his support and appealed for improved training facilities to help more young athletes, particularly girls, develop their talent.
Chepchirchir settles for bronze
For Chepchirchir, the bronze medal came after a challenging race in which she struggled to find space during the closing stages.
The African Under-20 champion said the Kenyan strategy had been to assess the strength of the field before making a move over the final 600 metres.
“We had planned to test the strength of our opponents at the 800m mark and then decide on the last 600m,” Chepchirchir said.
She said she fell behind and was blocked by other competitors, making it difficult to overtake them, but expressed satisfaction at securing a podium finish.
“I wasn’t expecting to get a bronze, but I thank God, and I appreciate my coach, Mary Ngugi, for the training,” she said, dedicating the medal to her mother, Irene Chemutai.
Kenya reclaim 1,500m crown
Mancha’s victory restored Kenya’s dominance in the women’s 1,500m at the World Athletics U20 Championships after the country last won the title in Cali, Colombia, in 2022, through Brenda Chebet.
The double podium finish also contributed to Kenya’s strong overall performance at the Eugene championships, where the country finished second behind hosts United States with 11 medals — four gold, three silver and four bronze.
