- Kipyegon and Kimeli have wild cards in their specialty races
- Kimeli also wants to run the 10,000m
- Kipyegon is eying a 1500m and 5,000m double
Faith Kipyegon and Nicholas Kimeli are hoping to double at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon next month, after gliding to victories in their non-specialty races at the Athletics Kenya Trials in Nairobi on Friday.
Kipyegon won the women’s 5,000m race, while Kimeli won the men’s 10,000m. Kipyegon has a wildcard in her 1500m specialty by virtue of being the defending champion while Kimeli has a 5,000m wildcard by virtue of being the reigning Diamond Trophy champion.
With two world records under her belt in both the 1500m and the 5,000m, Kipyegon is confident that she has what it takes to strongly compete in both in Budapest next month.
“I am preparing to double with both the 1500m and 5,000m next year at the Paris Olympics and I am also thinking of the same at the World Championships. Of course, my big aim is the 1500m where I want to defend my title and that is the big fish I want to go for,” Kipyegon said after winning the Trials.
She had chosen to compete in the 5,000m to make the team, though she already has the qualification time by virtue of breaking the World Record in Florence.
At the Trials, Kipyegon was peerless in the 5,000m race, winning in a time of 14 minutes, 53.90 seconds ahead of Lilian Kasait who timed 14 minutes, 56.50 seconds. Kasait is assured of making the team by virtue of finishing second.
Margaret Chelimo, third in the 10,000m in Oregon last year finished third in 15:07.49 and might also make the team.
Kimeli wins the men’s 10,000m
Nicholas Kimeli winning the men’s 10,000m
Meanwhile, Kimeli won the 10,000m race and has earned a ticket and says he will double in both the 5,000m and the 10,000m. He won the trials in a time of 27:29.8 while Daniel Simiu Ebenyo was second in 27:30.5. Bernard Kibet was third in 27:33.5 ahead of Kibiwott Kandie who was fourth in 27:47.3.
While Kimeli is assured of a ticket, Simiu will have to wait and see whether he remains second in the World Rankings by July 30, which is the cut off of the qualification period. Simiu has not attained the qualification standard of 27:10.00.
“I am excited to have managed to make the team. is a delight and we will celebrate a little then start planning on the World Championships. Qualifying is one thing but battling for a medal is another big thing,” Kimeli said after the race.
He added; “I want to double because I have already made the 5,000m team and now I have won in the 10,000. I think it is a possibility for me to do well in the two.”
Meanwhile in other results from Day One of the National Trials at the Nyayo National Stadium, Mary Moraa broke her own 400m national record, winning in 50.38. She is already guaranteed of a place in the women’s 800m which is her specialty race, but says she isn’t decided on whether she will double with the 400m.
“I don’t know about doubling in the 400m and 800m. That is something I leave to the selection panel. For me, my focus is on the women’s 800m where I hope for a podium finish,” Moraa said.
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