Kenya finished at the top of the medal standings as the curtain closed on the 18th edition of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday.

Kenyan under 20 athletes brought home a record 16 medals; 8 gold, 1 silver and 7 bronze, in what has been the country’s best performance, so far, in 11 years at the world junior event.

On Sunday, Emmanuel Wanyonyi ran a championship record in the men’s 800m men and won gold for Kenya, while his compatriot Noah Kibet settled for bronze.

“I was under so much pressure but I am happy to win at home with such a time at high altitude,” said Wanyonyi.

Amos Serem won Gold in men’s 3000 m steeplechase and  Purity Chepkirui won Gold in the women’s 1500 metres race.

The Kenyan quartet of Joshua Wanyonyi, Elkanah Kiprotich, Kennedy Kimeu and Peter Kithome timed 3:5.94 to win bronze in the 4x400m men’s relay final in the final event of the World Under-20 Athletics Championship.

The World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi have earned their place in the history books with four world U20 records, 15 championship records, 11 area U20 records, 68 national U20 records and 10 national senior records.

From more than 100 countries that competed in Nairobi, 18 teams won gold medals, 35 won medals and 63 had top-eight finishes.

Kenya, Finland, Nigeria and Botswana were among the countries that had their best ever world U20 championships. Namibia and Israel won their first gold medals and Cyprus won its first medal.

List of Records Set At Athletics U20 Championships In Nairobi

4 world U20 records: (Sasha Zhoya FRA in the 110m hurdles – 12.93 semifinals and 12.72 final; Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m relay – 42.94; South Africa in the men’s 4x100m relay – 38.51)

15 championship records: (Anthony Pesela BOT in the men’s 400m – 44.58; Emmanuel Wanyonyi KEN in the men’s 800m – 1:43.76; Tadese Worku ETH in the men’s 3000m – 7:42.09; Sasha Zhoya FRA in the 110m hurdles – 12.93 and 12.72; Mykolas Alekna LTU in the men’s Discus Throw – 69.81; South Africa in the men’s 4x100m – 38.51; Christine Mboma NAM 22.41 semifinal, Beatrice Masiilingi NAM 22.19 semifinal and Mboma 21.84 final in the women’s 200m; Silja Kosonen FIN in the women’s hammer – 71.64m; Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m – 42.94; Mixed 4x400m (new event) India in heat 1 – 3:23.36, Nigeria in heat 2 – 3:21.66 and Nigeria in final – 3:19.70)

11 area U20 records: (Mire Reinstorf RSA in the women’s pole vault – 4.15m; Mine De Klerk RSA in the women’s discus – 53.50m; Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m – 42.94; Sasha Zhoya FRA in the 110m hurdles – 12.93 semifinal and 12.72 final; men’s 4x100m Poland with 38.93 in the heat and 38.90 in the final, South Africa and Nigeria =AR both 39.33 in the heats, South Africa 38.51 and Jamaica 38.61 in the final)

68 national U20 records

10 national senior records

259 personal bests