EUGENE (USA, Aug 5): The US quartet of Joshua Shelton, Taylor-Nicole Overton, Jaelen Hunter and Olivia Harris closed the opening day at the World Athletics U20 Championships with a new championship record and fastest U20 time ever of 3:15.31 in the mixed 4x400m relay. Czechia got the silver in 3:18.16 U20NR and European U20 best thanks to fresh European U18 400m hurdles champion
EUGENE, OREGON – AUGUST 05: Olivia Harris of Team United States competes in the 4x400m Relay Final during day one of the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field on August 05, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/WA/Getty Images for World Athletics)
Linda Botková, who split 51.59 on the anchor leg and moved her team from sixth to second place ahead of Australia (3:18.45 U20AR).
EUGENE, OREGON – AUGUST 05: Gold medalist Charity Cherop of Team Uganda reacts after competing in the Women’s 5000m Final during day one of the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field on August 05, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/WA/Getty Images for World Athletics)
First titles went to 5000m runners, Uganda’s reigning runner-up Charity Cherop in 15:03.88 over Shito Gumi of Ethiopia (15:07.91) and Kenya’s Joyline Chepkemoi (15:09.08 PB), and Kenyans Frankline Kibet, the World U20 XC champion, in 13:28.27 and Nehemiah Kipngeno (13:30.09) ahead of Ethiopia’s Damitew Kebede (13:35.38 PB).
EUGENE, OREGON – AUGUST 05: Frankline Kibet of Team Kenya celebrates as he crosses the finish line in the Men’s 5000m Final during day one of the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field on August 05, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/WA/Getty Images for World Athletics)
The men’s shot put (6kg) podium saw a surprise win for Brazilian Alessandro Borges with 20.35 PB ahead of Park Si-hoon from Korea (20.31) and South Africa’s U18 (born 2010) Jaco Van Dyk (19.80 PB).
EUGENE, OREGON – AUGUST 05: (L-R) Bronze medalist Jaco Van Dyk of Team South Africa, gold medalist Alessandro Borges of Team Brazil and silver medalist Park Si-Hoon of Team Republic of Korea pose for a photo after competing in the Men’s Shot Put Final during day one of the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field on August 05, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/WA/Getty Images for World Athletics)
Alfonz Juck is a husband, father, statistician, announcer, journalist, organizer, agent usw, following track and field since 1972. EME NEWS is a news service relating to the sport of athletics. It is published on daily basis with additional updates, as required. Copyright is held by Alfons Juck, TOP ATHLETICS, a.s., Krikova 10, 82107 Bratislava, Slovakia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The redistribution and/or direct reproduction of material from EME NEWS is prohibited unless permission is given by c TOP ATHLETICS (such as being included in a subscription agreement).
