Kenyan teenage sensation Samuel Kibathi added another chapter to his nation’s storied history in cross country running, winning a thrilling U20 men’s race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade on Saturday.
The 18-year-old Kibathi timed his kick to perfection, covering the 8km course in 22 minutes and 39 seconds to outbattle Ethiopian rival Mezgebu Sime, who took silver in 22:41. Compatriot Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto earned bronze for Kenya in 22:46.
With about a mile to go, Kibathi and Sime began separating themselves from the lead pack. The two elite teenagers ran stride for stride, neither willing to make the first move. As they hit the final straightaway, Kibathi finally kicked into another gear, opening up a small gap on Sime.
But the Ethiopian refused to go away, clawing his way back into contention over the last 200 meters. As they entered the final straight, Sime was back on Kibathi’s shoulder, setting up a dramatic home stretch duel.
Digging deep, Kibathi found an extra burst of speed over the last 100m. He outsprinted the fast-closing Sime, throwing himself across the finish line to secure the U20 title by two agonizing seconds.
Kibathi’s perfectly-timed kick allowed him to hold off Sime’s bold charge, delighting the contingent of vocal Kenyan fans in attendance. The winning move was the culmination of a patient, strategic race executed by the rising Kenyan star, earning him a congratulatory message from the Kenyan Federation.
The race unfolded at a blistering pace, with Kipruto and Charles Rotich taking the early lead. A lead pack of six runners, including four Kenyans, formed over the first few kilometers. Kibathi bided his time, reserving his energy for the decisive late kicks he has become known for.
Kibathi’s victory ensured the individual and team titles remained in Kenyan possession for yet another edition of this biennial event.
Over the past 15 championships, Kenyan, Ethiopian and Ugandan athletes have swept all the individual U20 men’s medals.
With four scorers in the top six placings, including Kibathi, Kipruto, 5th-place Johana Erot and 6th-place Charles Kipngeno, the favored Kenyan squad easily claimed the team title with 15 points. Ethiopia took silver with 21 points, while Uganda – led by 11th-place finisher Cherop – earned team bronze.
The performance marked a brilliant transition to the international stage for the prodigiously talented Kibathi.
