Kenya's 800m runners Korir, Ferguson and Ngeno take centre stage tonight

Emmanuel Korir, who is sixth on the world all-time list and the second-fastest Kenyan ever behind Rudisha after clocking 1:42.05 last year, will lead Kenya’s squad in the men’s 800m today at the World Championships in Doha.

Korir’s will be accompanied by 2016 Diamond League trophy winner Ferguson Rotich, second on this year’s world list with 1:42.54.

World Under-20 silver medalist Kipngetich Ngeno who floored many top names at the Kenyan trials to get a slot in the national team is also in the team.  

Korir has not won any race this season and ran a season’s best of 1:43.69 for fourth place at the Zurich Diamond League meeting last month.

Rotich has been unpredictable at the major championships with three World Championships finals without a medal but is hoping Doha will see him among the podium places.

Ngeno is also the African U20 champ and the fact that he won the Kenyan trials makes him strong medal contender but all the Kenyans are expected to easily go past heats set for today at 5:15pm.

“Going to the Kenyan trials, I had already counted myself out of the team because those on the line-up had better experience than me and were clear favourites, so I was just going to better my PB.  

“I’m not under any pressure but to just ensure we all go into final, from there we will see how it goes,” said the Kericho-based Ngeno who is coached by Gabriel Kiptanui.

Given the mix of competitors this time around, the men’s 800m promises to be one of the most fascinating unfolding narratives of these Championships with Botswana’s Nijel Amos and American Donovan Brazier who won the Diamond trophy with a personal best of 1:42.70 in Zurich among the favourites.

Kenya will also feature in the intriguing mixed relays event which is on the programme for the first time with teams made up of two men and two women who can choose to run in whatever order they prefer.

World Under-18 400m silver medalist Mary Moraa will spearhead the squad which also consist of National Police’s Gladys Musyiki, KDF’s Alfas Kishoyian, Alex Sampao and Joseph Poghisio.

Head coach Julius Kirwa and middle distance coach Bernard Ouma will aim to pick the winning combination capable of going past heats.