The first day of competition in Eugene at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships offered more than just a glimpse of the emerging talents in the sport as gold in four events finals were decided on Wednesday at Hayward Field.
Kenya’s Frankline Kibet took the men’s 5,000m with a commanding 13:28.27 win to capture one of the first titles of the five day event over teammate Nehemiah Kipngeno who was second in 13:30.09 and while Ethiopia’s Damitew Kebede who took bronze in 13:35.38. It was Kibet’s second global victory of the year after powering his way to gold with a world U20 cross-country title in Tallahassee in January.
“I am so happy to have won this championship,” Kibet said. “I was so grateful to be able to win the worlds cross country and I went back and trained very well that is why I was able to win this championship”
In the women’s 5,000m, Uganda’s Charity Cherop surged to a 15:03.88 victory in a dominant win over Ethiopia’s Shito Gumi who was second in 15:07.91, as Kenya’s Joyline Chepkemoi finished third in 15:09.08.
“I am so grateful, I am so happy,” Cherop said. “I put my mind to it and I wanted to get that medal. Now I am waiting for the 3,000 meters. I want to focus, no pressure and I want to win, run and do my best.”
Meanwhile, Team USA etched the members of its 4x400m mixed relay squad’s names into the history books with a 3:15.31 stunner in the fastest time ever in the event to take the gold over the Czech Republic (3:18.16) and Australia (3:18.45).
Joshua Shelton, Taylor-Nicole Overton, Jaelen Hunter and Olivia Harris shaved more than two seconds off the previous best of 3:17.69 and was determined to kick off the first day in Eugene with a statement.
“I knew I just had to hold the lead they all gave me and just finish strong because that is what is going take to get the record and win overall,” Harris said. “We will all run the 4x400m relays later this week.”
Brazil’s Alessandro Borges tossed a personal best 20.35m in the men’s shot put to clinch the gold after overcoming Korea’s Park Si-hoon early 20.31m lead. But Borges shifted gears on his fifth throw with a 20.35 that put the competition out of reach.
Si-hoon’s 20.31m keep him in second for the silver while South Africa’s Jaco van Dyk got bronze with a 19.80m toss.
“I cannot believe I am world champion,” Borges said. I knew Izabela (Da Silva) won here in 2014 and I wanted to add another gold in the shot put. I want to show that we have more sports beyond football. We just need more opportunities.”
