Summary
- AK invites 250+ athletes for Olympic trials.
- Top athletes vie for Olympic representation.
- Chebet, Kipyegon, Nyaga, Ngetich headline women’s events.
- Kipyegon competes in women’s 1500m.
Athletics Kenya (AK) has extended invitations to more than 250 athletes to participate in the upcoming national trials for the Olympics, scheduled to take place at Nyayo Stadium next week.
Expect an exhilarating display of talent across various track and field events as elite athletes vie for the opportunity to represent Kenya at the prestigious quadrennial games.
Fresh off her remarkable feat of breaking the world record in the women’s 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic, Beatrice Chebet, the reigning world cross country champion, will be competing in the women’s 5000m event. She will face tough competition from the likes of world champion Faith Kipyegon, African champion Caroline Nyaga, and Agnes Ngetich, the current world record holder in the women’s 10km.
Kipyegon Set for year’s debut
Double world record holder Kipyegon who will be competing for the first time this year will also be in action in the women’s 1500m where stiff opposition awaits her in the form of Africa Games champion Mary Ekiru, the 2021 World Under-20 champion Purity Chepkirui and rising star Nelly Chepchirchir, among others.
The men’s version of the same race also promises fireworks, what with the involvement of African Games champion Brian Komen, the resurging 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, world cross country mixed relay champion Reynold Cheruiyot and the 2022 world indoor bronze medalist Abel Kipsang.
Having secured his place on the men’s 10,000m by virtue of finishing second at the Prefontaine Classic Nicholas Kimeli will be out to repeat the trick in the men’s 5000m where he will be meeting familiar faces.
Among those hoping to finish in the top three in the same race include the world 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, world 5000m silver medalist Jacob Krop and the 2022 world cross country junior champion Ishmael Kipkurui Rokito.
In the men’s 800m, many would expect world road mile record holder Emmanuel Wanyonyi to punch his ticket to his first-ever Olympics, although it won’t be easy considering the stellar startlist.
Those to keep an eye on in this one-lap race include the 2022 world indoor silver medalist Noah Kibet, United States-based Festus Langat, Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal and Olympics silver medalist Ferguson Rotich, among others.
World 800m champion Mary Moraa will be in action in the women’s 800m where she will be joined by her baby sister, Sarah Moraa, Lillian Odira, the 2021 shuttle hurdles relay silver medalist Naomi Korir and Nelly Chepchirchir, among others.
Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Wiseman Were will be one of the busiest at the two-day event, competing in the men’s 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles.
Were has already secured Olympics qualification, having clocked 48.57 at the Kip Keino Classic in May.
Also a category to keep an eye on is the men’s 100m where Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala will be up against 20 other sprinters, including former national record holder Mark Otieno.
The last national trials for the Olympics — Tokyo 2021 — was a firecracker as far as this race is concerned with Omanyala and Otieno booking their tickets to the games.
It was also the first time Omanyala had beaten Otieno — clocking a then national record of 10.00 to secure first place.
All eyes will be on the duo to see what becomes of the latest episode in what has been normally a tantalizing competition between them.
Invited Athletes
Serem Brothers- Amos Serem and Edmond Serem will be in action at the Kenyan Olympics Trials in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase.
Steeplechase
- Abraham kibiwot
- Conseslus Kipruto
- Leonard Bett
- Simon Koech
- Benjamin Kigen
- Amos Kirui
- Lawrence Kemboi Kipsang
- Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei
- Haron Kibet
- Joash Ruto
- Philip Korir
- Philemon Kiplagat Ruto
- Mathew Kosgei
400m Invited Men
1. Ekwam Zablon
2. Kelvin Tauta
3. Boniface Ontuga Mweresa
4. David Sanayek
5. Kennedy Kimeu
6. Wiseman Were
7. Eric Kimathi
8. Brian Tinega
9. Kevin Kipkorir
10. Moitalel Mpoke
11. Nathaniel Kipngetich
12. Joshua Wanyonyi
13. Kevin Kiprotich Tonui
14. Erastus Mbaluka
15. Dunson Kibet
16. Emmanuel Mutua
17. Elkanah Kiprotich Chemelil
18. Samuel Toili
19. Allan Kipyego
20. Gabriel Mutenkere Larmoi
21. Rodgers Puma
22. Jared Nyambweke Momanyi
Men’s 5,000m
1. Daniel Ebenyo
2. Jacob Krop
3. Stanley Waithaka Mburu
4. Bernard Kibet
5. Benson Kiplagat
6. Nicholas Kimeli Kipkorir
7. Samuel Chebolei Masai
8. Ishmael Kipkurui
9. Cornelius Kemboi
10. Ronald Kwemoi
11. Edwin Kurgat
12. Amon Kemboi
13. Andrew Kiptoo
14. Emmanuel Kiprop
15. Kibet Kandie
16. Kiprono Sitonik
17. Emmanuel Korir Kiplagat
18. Anthony Kibe
19. Athanas Kioko
20. Emmanuel Moi Maru.
Men’s 100m
1. Ferdinand Omanyala
2. Meshack Babu
3. Dan Kiviasi
4. Mark Otieno
5. Hesborn Ochieng
6. Justine Isaboke
7. Tyson Juma
8. Samuel Chege
9. Eric Kimathi
10. Charles Nyamwea
11. Stephen Oluoch
12. Dennis Nyongesa
13. Robinson Motende
14. Moses Wasike
15. Sylvester Simiyu
16. Innocent Kadima
17. Ronald Kiprono
18. Simani Regau
19. Elkana Sabila
20. Edwin Omondi
21. Richard Ogutu Richie Mzandu
