Athletics: Stars Otieno, Cherono to lead title chase

Eglay Nalianya of police sprints before winning 800m women race during world relays final trials at Iten Elgeyo Marakwet County [Courtesy]

Mark Otieno and Joan Cherono are expected to lead Kenya’s 4x200 relays team bid to sail through the preliminary rounds in Yokohama, Japan, tomorrow.

Kenya men’s 4x200m squad that comprises Otieno, Mike Mokamba, Dan Kiviasi, Samuel Chege and Alphas Kishoyian will be up against world’s sprinters as the team thirst to cruise past the heats tomorrow.

Kenyans will face tough opposition from USA team which has fielded a team with two sub-20 seconds athletes in 200m in Isiah Young and Remontay McClain.

Vernon Norwood, a world 4x400m champion indoors and outdoors in 2016 and 2015 respectively, steps down in distance.

Jamaica is another side to watch out as they boast with the likes of 2015 world 4x100m champion Rasheed Dwyer, 2013 world 4x100m champion Oshane Bailey, 2016 world U20 200m bronze medallist Nigel Ellis and sub-20 seconds man Julian Forte.

Japan has put together a strong line up in 4x200m that include Olympic 4x100m silver medallists Aska Cambridge and Shota Iizuka and world 4x100m bronze medallist Kenji Fujimitsu.

African 100m champion Akani Simbine will team up with 2015 world 200m bronze medallist Anaso Jobodwana, Luxolo Adams and rising talent Sinesipho Dambile in the South African squad.

Paulo Andre de Oliveira has impressed in some early-season races in California and leads a strong Brazilian 4x200m team in Yokohama while Olympic 200m bronze medallist Christophe Lemaitre headlines the French team.

The women’s 4x200m features a team that bagged silver in 4x100m at the 2018 African Athletics Championships in Asaba, Nigeria. The quartet include Millicent Ndoro, Eunice Kadogo, Fresha Mwangi, Joan Cherono and Diana Chebet.

The Kenyan side hope to advance past heats and will face Jamaica who are keen to defend the 4x200m crown.

Three of the women that contributed to their 2017 victory – Shericka Jackson, Shashalee Forbes and Elaine Thompson. In today’s race, 2016 Diamond League Trophy winner Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich will partner with Emily Cherotich, Collins Kipruto and Eglay Nalianya in the mixed 2x2x400m final.

Women’s 4x400m squad of Hellen Syombua, Gladys Nthenya, Maureen Thomas, Neviah Michira and Veronica Mutua will compete today.

IAAF has honoured two famous centres in Africa. They are Ethiopian town of Bekoji, and Iten, the ‘Home of Champions’.