Team Kenya bags 27 medals at World Masters Championships

BY NEWSFLASH REPORTER

Kenya’s veteran athletes returned home to a heroes’ welcome on Saturday evening after producing a record-breaking performance at the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Accompanied by Africa Masters Athletics president Rose Tata-Muya, the Athletics Kenya Masters team amassed an impressive 27 medals — 15 gold, six silver and six bronze — to finish 12th overall in the global standings and emerge as Africa’s top-performing nation.

The bumper harvest marked a significant improvement from the 24 medals won at the 2024 championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, where Kenya collected seven gold medals.

A team of 24 athletes represented Kenya among more than 9,000 competitors from 110 countries, excelling in long-distance races while also making their mark in sprints, race walking and field events.

Rosaline David leads Kenya’s golden charge

Rosaline David was among the standout performers, winning gold in the women’s 5,000 metres and the 8km cross country W45 race. Florence Chepsoi also enjoyed a memorable campaign with victories in the women’s 5,000m and the 8km cross country W40 event.

Betty Chebet Mwei dominated the field events, claiming double gold in the women’s W35 discus and javelin, while Francis Bowen completed a double in the men’s M50 5,000m and 8km cross country.

Team Kenya arrives home from the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea. Photo/Courtesy

Other gold medal winners included evergreen Eric Sikuku (M50 10km race walk), Peter Kariuki Wanjiru (M40 10,000m), Sylvia Chesebe (W35 800m), Paul Kipkorir (M40 5,000m), Alice Chelangat (women’s half marathon), Peter Kariuki (men’s half marathon) and Grace Kidake (W40 400m).

Masters sets sight on Florida

Silver medals were won by Grace Kidake (W40 800m), Lewnida Agatha Opiyo (women’s 5,000m), Paul Kipsiele Koech (M40 1,500m), Eric Sikuku (M50 5km walk), Joyce Kirui (W50 8km cross country) and the women’s W40 4x400m relay team.

Kenya’s bronze medalists were Caroline Kola (W65 shot put), Peter Mwangi (M40 shot put), Sylvia Chesebe (W35 400m), Regina Mulatya (women’s long jump), Elijah Chesoen (M35 high jump) and Jared Momanyi (M35 400m).

Buoyed by their success in Daegu, the Kenyan masters team has now shifted its focus to the World Masters Indoor Championships scheduled for Florida, USA, in March 2027.