Road to Tokyo: Expectations high as Kenya picks World Championships team

Kenya's Mary Moraa reacts after competing in 800m semi-final. [AFP] The stakes are high as the country's charges line up for the national trials for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships in Nairobi. Today, expectations are high as Kenyan athletes compete for first and second places to automatically qualify to fly the country's colours at the Tokyo World Championships slated for September 13-21. By late this afternoon, an expectant country will have known the names of the track and field stars that will be charged with the assignment of bringing home the bullions. Expected to dictate the proceedings are top guns, who have on a number of occasions represented Kenya and made it to the podium. The world, which has for decades seen Kenya as the cathedral of distance running, is waiting for the identities of the country's flag bearers for the Tokyo25 global showpiece so that they prepare accordingly. Athletes invited for the national trials are competing under strict rules set by the local federation, Athletics Kenya (AK) and others by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Kenya has been under the category A of compliance watch list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) since 2016, and world-class athletes participating in today's national trials must have been tested at least three times in the last ten months. "(Athletes) must have undergone the mandatory anti-doping education and testing as required by AIU. A minimum of three no-notice out-of-competition tests must have been conducted throughout the ten months from October 29, 2024, to August 29, 2025," criteria by AK read in part. The AK notice further indicates: "The first (anti-doping) test must have been completed by May 24, 2025." According to the federation, all the athletes taking part in today's trials have met the strict anti-doping rules. AK will have the prerogative of selecting the third athlete in each event, but the 1 and 2 slots will be taken by stars who will cross the line first and second. But there is a catch. "The first two athletes to cross the finish line will automatically be selected provided they have qualified as per the World Athletics entry standards." Kenya has only two defending champions from Budapest World Championships in 2023, which have wild cards to Tokyo25. They are Faith Kipyegon (1500m and 5000m) and Mary Moraa (800m), and the duo has been invited for the contest. A number of head-to-head contests are expected to highlight the 2025 national trials. Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, who is fresh from smashing the 5000m world record and becoming the first woman to run the distance under 14 minutes with her 13:58.06 time at the Prefontaine Classic (Eugene Diamond League) on July 5, is looking to chase the 10,000m ticket today. Chebet - a two-time World Cross Country champion is facing strong competition from world 10km record holder Agnes Ngetich, Lilian Kasait, Loice Chemnung and Rebecca Mwangi. Like Chebet, Ngetich is also targeting to double in Tokyo after finishing second to Chebet at the Eugene Diamond League meet. Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi is the man to watch in the men's 800m, following his stunning 1:42.00 meeting record at the London Diamond League last Saturday. He will be racing the two-lap event alongside two-time Commonwealth winner Wycliff Kinyamal, former world silver medallist Ferguson Rotich, Aron Cheminingwa, and Noah Kibet. At just 18, Phanuel Koech shocked the athletics world by beating world champion Josh Kerr at the London Diamond League, clocking a meet record of 3:28.82. He now steps into the national spotlight as a favorite in the 1500m. The teenage sensation will be tested by 2018 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, former Diamond League winner Abel Kipsang, and former world U20 champions Reynold Cheruiyot and Vincent Keter. In the women's 3000m steeplechase, Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich, popularly known as Small Faith, will battle Doris Lemngole (based in the U.S.) and Pamela Kosgei. The men's event includes world bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott, Edmond Serem, and Simon Koech, all seeking Tokyo qualification. World 800m champion Mary Moraa will compete against U.S.-based Susan Ejore, Africa silver medallist Lilian Odira, and rising star Sarah Moraa, the reigning world U20 champion. In the women's 1500m, Nelly Chepngetich, Susan Ejore, and Dorcas Ewoi will fight for places. In the 400m, Mercy Oketch is set to clash with Mary Moraa, who is doubling up for the trials. Africa's record holder Ferdinand Omanyala, is the only sprinter with the qualification standard in the 100m but remains uncertain to compete at the trials. Meanwhile, Mark Otieno and Meshack Babu will line up in the men's 100m. Kenya's men's 4x400m relay team members from the 2025 World Relays in China will compete for individual spots. The team includes Brian Tinega, David Sanayiek, Boniface Mweresa, Zablon Ekwam, Kevin Kipkorir, Wiseman Were, and Kevin Tonui, with newcomer George Mutinda adding spice to the event. In the field events, former world javelin champion Julius Yego with a season-best throw of 83.08m will hope to cement his position in the team. He will compete with Alexander Kiprop. In the women's javelin, US-based Irene Chepkemboi, a student at Texas Christian University, will look to earn her maiden ticket to the World Championships with a season best of 60.31m. In the long jump, Edwin Too will be eyeing qualification in one of Kenya's few contested field events.

Road to Tokyo: Expectations high as Kenya picks World Championships team

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