Abigael Chepkirui wins silver at Dakar Games to lift Kenya’s medal tally to six

• Chepkirui clocked 4:29.86 in second place behind Ethiopia’s Elsabet Amare who bagged a gold medal in a time of 4:28.02.

DAKAR, SENEGAL - NOVEMBER 10: Abigael Chepkirui of Kenya wins silver in the Women's 1500m on day ten of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on November 19, 2026 in Dakar, Senegal. (Photo by Daudi Were/National Olympic Committee of Kenya).

Kenya’s athletics youngster Abigael Chepkirui Tuesday delivered a fine run as she earned a silver medal for the country in the women’s 1,500m at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

Chepkirui clocked 4:29.86 in second place behind Ethiopia’s Elsabet Amare who bagged a gold medal in a time of 4:28.02.

The Lemotit Athletics Club runner went toe-to-toe with her opponents in the first three laps but Ethiopia’s Amare kicked and sped-off to the finish line from the last bend, leaving Chepkirui to settle for a silver.

The Kericho-born athletics prodigy expressed her elation following the podium finish, promising to work on her endurance and speed ahead of her next competitions.

"I am elated because i managed to get a silver medal here in Dakar even though i was aiming for a gold medal. This means i have to work extra hard in training when i go back home so that i can do better in the next event or competition. The race generally was good apart for the high temperatures that really challenged me,” Chepkirui said after the race at the Complex Iba Mar Diop.

Kenya’s medal tally in the 2026 Dakar Youth Games increased to six in all competitions (four gold and two silver)
Kenya’s medalists at Dakar Youth Olympic Games
**
Gold medalists**
1.Kenya Women’s Rugby Team
2.Faith Rono – Women’s 3000m
3.Enock Tuitoek – Men’s 3000m
4.Abigael Kosgei – Women’s 2000m steeplechase
**
Silver medalists**
1.Wesley Kiplagat – men’s 2000m steeplechase
2.Abigael Chepkirui – Women’s 1500m