On the first day of track and field events at the fourth Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, Kenyan athletes excelled by winning two gold medals on Sunday evening, courtesy of Abigael Kosgei and Enock Tuitoek.
Sixteen-year-old Kosgei, despite the intense heat at Complex Iba Mar Diop, led the women’s 2000m race from the beginning and finished with a personal best time of 6:30.24.
“I am so happy for this win; the race was tough because of the weather since it is very hot here, but I was determined to get this medal and I dedicate it to myself and to all Kenyans,” said the elated Kosgei.
Tsediken Mekonen from Ethiopia secured the second-place finish, while the bronze medal went to Celik Elif representing Turkiye, completing the medal winners.
Enock Tuitoek, who also won the ANOCA 2026 Zone 5 Youth Games in Nairobi, produced a sprint finish after shaking off stiff competition to emerge victorious in the 3000m men’s final in a time of 8:07.69.
“I feel good winning a medal; this is what brought us here. The competition was tough and I had to change tactics by reducing the pace so as to manage the leading pack. My competitors were all over me and for sure I had to be brave for me to win. If you noticed, I kicked just a few metres before the finish line,” said the 17-year-old Tuitoek.
Goytom Mekonen bagged silver while Mezziane Benhammou of France rounded up the top three finish with a bronze medal.
Kenya’s medal count rose to three after securing two additional gold medals, propelling them to the 9th position globally following the Rising Lionesses’ victory in the women’s rugby sevens.
At the top of the medal standings is China, with a total of 17 medals, including 11 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze.
Japan is in second place, having earned 9 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
Russia ranks third with 10 medals, consisting of 6 gold and 4 silver, while Egypt and France are in fourth and fifth places, respectively, with Egypt holding 5 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, and France with 3 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
