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Kenya reaps bountiful medals harvest as Athletics World Championships end

By Amina Wako October 7th, 2019 1 min read

Kenya finished second behind USA as the curtains came down on the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Kenya concluded the biennial competition with a total of 11 medals – five gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

The United States topped the medal standings with 29 medals. Jamaica finished third with 12 medals, followed by China (9 medal) and Ethiopia, who wrapped up the top five slots with eight medals.

During the 2017 IAAF Athletics World Championships in London, Kenya won the exact total number of medal in the same order and also came second to the United States.

Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich celebrates after winning the women's marathon at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha on September 27, 2019. AFP PHOTO
Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich celebrates after winning the women’s marathon at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha on September 27, 2019. AFP PHOTO

Ruth Chepngetich bagged the first gold for Kenya after winning a grueling women’s marathon on Saturday, September 28, before world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech producing a stunning finish in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase to add to the tally.

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech celebrates after winning in the Women's 3,000m Steeplechase final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on September 30, 2019. AFP PHOTO
Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech celebrates after winning in the Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on September 30, 2019. AFP PHOTO

Conseslus Kipruto beat Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma with the narrowest of margins in a dramatic race to successfully defend his title in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase.

Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto celebrates with the national flag after winning the men's 3,000m Steeplechase final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on October 4, 2019. AFP PHOTO
Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto celebrates with the national flag after winning the men’s 3,000m Steeplechase final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on October 4, 2019. AFP PHOTO

Hellen Obiri then announced her comeback with an astonishing finish in the women’s 5,000m, just days after settling for a disappointing fifth place in the women’s 10,000m.

Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot reacts after winning the men's 1,500m final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha on October 6, 2019. AFP PHOTO
Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot reacts after winning the men’s 1,500m final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha on October 6, 2019. AFP PHOTO

On the final day of the championships, Timothy Cheruiyot ended his long wait for a major title when he tore the men’s 1,500m field apart to clinch Kenya’s fifth goal medal. His two attempt previous attempts had only ended in second positions.