Obiri and Kimeli face threat from Ethiopia and Uganda in Oregon

Nicholas Kimeli winner 5000m men's race during trials World Championships and Commonwealth Games at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani. June 24, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri faces a battle of her life as she takes on a classy line up in 5,000m at the World Athletics Championships that start in Eugene, USA on Friday.

The move comes even as Dutchwoman Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion Sifan Hassan, gears up to line up in 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m at the worlds against strong challengers that include Ethiopia’s former world record holder Letesenbet Gidey, world indoor 3,000m Ejgayehu Taye and 2016 world indoor 1500m silver medalist Dawit Seyaum.

Obiri, the two-time world 5,000m champion, will join forces with 2018 world Under-20 5,000m champion Beatrice Chebet, world 5,000m silver medalist and Gloria Kite.

The team must be at their best to counter lastest inclusion into the start line in South Africa’s two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya.

Semenya was listed on Friday for the women’s 5,000m, an event she has turned to after being barred from her preferred 800m by regulations affecting women with conditions that cause high testosterone levels.

The 31-year-old Semenya is not expected to win a medal in the 5,000m as her personal best in the long-distance race is well off the world’s leading runners. But her presence will be enough to spark more intrigue. Uganda’s Ester Chebet, Commonwelath Games silver medalist Stella Chesang and Mercyline Chelangat are also in the mix.

Obiri said: “We have a strong team. I will focus on marathon after August. I want to leave track on a high. I am ready for the battle.”

It is also about Kenya’s bid to end 17-year-old gold drought in men’s 5,000m, which Benjamin Kipkoech Limo last won in Helsinki, Finland, in 2005.

Nicholas Kimeli, a member of Tokyo Olympic Games squad, will lead the quest to reclaim the title alongside Jacob Krop and Daniel Simiu in the men race.

Kimeli is fresh from setting a meet record of 12:46.33 inside Stadio Olympico at the Rome Diamond League race last month, where he erased Eliud Kipchoge’s record of 12:46.53.

Kimeli said: “I am happy to have qualified for the World Championships. I know our rivals Ethiopia also have good athletes but we have studied them well. I beat them at the Rome Diamond League and there is nothing different at the World Championships. It is just a matter of planning. I expect to win at least a medal.”

Krop said: “I am confident we can win gold at the World Championship.”