Big shots unstoppable as Kenya names team to World Championships in Tokyo

From left: Beatrice Chebet , Agnes Ngetich and Janeth Chepngetich celebrate winning 10, 000m race at Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi on July 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] The country's national trials for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships which are scheduled for September 13-21 kicked off with huge expectations in Nairobi. Nothing was left to chance on Tuesday as Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata played host to the country's charges who raced for their tickets to Tokyo25. Kenya's athletics juggernauts were unstoppable as they contended for their tickets. Big shots who lined up in the races for slots to fly the country's colours fired warning shots as they prepared for a medal hunt in Tokyo. It was a game of tactics and resilience in the women's 10,000m - a race that proved to be most competitive at national event as world record breakers Beatrice Chebet (10,000m and 5000m), and Agnes Ngetich (10km) competed for their tickets to Japan. But it was African champion Janeth Chepngetich who won the contest in 30:27.0 after finishing ahead of Ngetich (30:27.4) and double Olympic champion Chebet who timed 30:27.5. Chepngetich's win became the first surprise of the national trials. She stormed to victory in a race where Chebet and Ngetich were favoured to dominate. Chebet stuck behind Ngetich and Chepngetich from the opening stages of the 25-lap race. The ticket-contenders in the women's 10,000m enjoyed good company until the ninth lap when it whittled down to five leaders. Chepngetich remained on the lead until the 14th lap when Ngetich stepped to the front. She waited for the last 200m to unleash a powerful kick. "I was so happy to compete with Chebet and Ngetich. We are going to Tokyo as a team and it will be a big success if we deliver a podium sweep. I came into the national trials with just one thing in my mind, securing a ticket to represent my country in the World Championships," Chepngetich said after winning an automatic ticket to the global showpiece. Chepngetich had missed an opportunity to team up with Chebet and Ngetich in the 5000m during the trials staged at the Eugene Diamond League on July 5. Faith Cherotich (R) leads the pack in the 3000 SC women during the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025 at The Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on July 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] World bronze medallist Faith Cherotich cemented her place in the women's 3000m steeplechase, easily winning the trials with Doris Lemngole Cherop and Caren Chebet coming in second and third, respectively. Cherotich timed 9:09.44 while Cherop finished the race in 9:24.69 and Chebet ran 9:34.91. "I am going back to improve on my training. I promise to win a medal for Kenya in Tokyo. The season has been good for me and I hope to sustain the momentum," Cherotich said after her win. World Under-20 champion Edmund Serem dictated proceedings in the men's 3000m steeplechase and like Cherotich, promised a medal in Tokyo. Serem, who stopped the timer at 8:38.91 was followed by former Under-20 bronze medallist Simon Koech who settled for second place to book his qualification to represent the country at the World Championships. Edmund, who was expected to compete with elder brother Amos, former World Under-20 champion said he was cognizant of the huge assignment to help reclaim Kenya's lost glory in the men's 3000m steeplechase. The race has been dominated by World and Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and world record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia but Serem said they will team up to disrupt their dominance. "I have competed with El Bakkali and Girma and we have been on the podium with them most of the time. So, I know them. I am now back to build on my mental strength," Serem said at the trials. Mary Moraa competes in the 4X400m women finals during the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025 at The Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on July 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] World bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott came in third in a time of The men's 5000m race proved very competitive with contenders sticking together until the bell before making their moves. Cornelius Kemboi took the top honours in 13:38.46, sealing his automatic slot in Team Kenya, followed by Mathew Kipsang (13.38.87) who will also be flying the country's colours in Tokyo. Kelvin Rorich was third in 13.39.13. Former World Under-20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot and 2019 World Champion Timothy Cheruiyot crossed the finish line first and second in the men's 1500m as they bagged their tickets. World bronze medallist Jacob Krop did not make the podium. Nicholas Kebenei and Kelvin Loti secured their automatic tickets in the men's 800m. World silver Medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi did not compete but earned a wild card like three-time world champion Faith Kipyegon in the women's 1500m.

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