NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- There was no major surprises as Kenya's young athletes dominated the national trials in Nairobi to clinch a spot at the World Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland in July.
Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Edward Zakayo and Stanley Mburu will carry Kenya's hopes in the 5,000m race.
Zakayo clocked 13:19.73 to beat Mburu (13:23.66) to finish top. Both athletes made the team cut.
The World Under-20 Championships, which were previously known as the World Junior Championships, are open to athletes under 20 years old. This year's event will run from July 10-15 in Tampere.
Earlier, upcoming steeplechase star Cellephine Chespol Cheptek and Mercy Chepkirui secured a one-two finish to bag automatic spots in the team.
Chespol clocked 9:26.57 with Chepkirui managing 9:29.42 in the women's 3,000m steeplechase.
"I feel a little bit under pressure to prove my talent yet again. This is because I had high expectations for the Commonwealth Games, but poor tactics cost me the medal on the Gold Coast. However, I hope this event in Finland will rejuvenate me and give me another gold," said Chespol on Tuesday in Nairobi.
The men's 10,000m race saw Africa cross country junior champion Rhonex Kipruto shining, finishing with the best time of 27:49.60.
"The pressure is off me now after making the team. It is harder here in Nairobi than at the World Championships because here everyone is a star in his own right and anyone can surprise you. I hope I can run fast in Finland but the focus will certainly be on winning gold," said Kipruto.
However, Kipruto is alive to the challenge ahead in Finland and will channel his energies on training and polishing his finishing kick.
"I will continue to train hard, knowing that there will be tough times ahead with other runners. I now want to stay healthy, get stronger, and make sure everything is good and ready for Finland," he added.
Elsewhere, Beatrice Chebet clinched the women's 5,000m finals in 15:31.66, with Hellen Ekalale and Deborah Chemutai finishing second and third respectively. Ekalale and Chemutai were selected in the team.
"I am happy to have won this race," said Chebet afterwards. "Last year during the World Under-18 Championships I didn't perform well in the 3,000m, only coming fourth. Today was my first time to run the 5,000m, and I did my best."
The team will have a training camp in Nairobi before leaving for Tampere on July 7. Enditem