Kenya’s World Championships team starts training ahead of Budapest

• Kenya has named a team of 57 athletes
• The team will hold residential training at Kasarani
• Most of the long distance athletes will train at their bases

Kenya’s team for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary has begun residential training at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, with just under three weeks to the global extravaganza set for the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

The team, mostly comprised of short and middle distance athletes, will train at Kasarani before moving to Budapest, while most of the long distance athletes will prefer training in their high-altitude bases.

Kenya will send a contingent of 57 athletes, 32 men and 25 women as they seek to replicate the feat from 2015 when the country finished top of the world.

Faith Kipyegon and Nicholas Kimeli have been confirmed to be doubling at the Championships.

Kipyegon will defend her 1500m title and also compete in the 5,000m, in which she holds both world records. Kimeli meanwhile will compete in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.

The team will be coached by Julius Kirwa, as the country looks to replicate the feat from 2015 when they topped the charts with the best medal haul.

There will be several debutants in the team, with Peninah Mutisya and Vivian Chebet going for their first ever World Championships, competing in the women’s 800m. In the corresponding men’s race, Alex Ng’eno will be competing for the first time too.

Excited for the World Championships 

“I am excited to be heading to the World Championships and I am looking forward to doing well. It has been a good season and I feel that my body is in great shape. Now the work is to ensure I am ready for the competition,” Ng’eno, who won at the Trials, stated.

In the women’s 1500m, Nelly Chepchirchir who has just graduated from the junior ranks will make her senior competitive debut outside the country. This will be a similar scenario with reigning World U20 champion in the same distance Reynold Kipkorir.

Julius Yego, javelin world champion from 2015, will be the only field athlete in the team. Yego has struggled with injury since winning silver at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but says he feels he is in good shape to clinch a medal.

“I have been working really hard in training. It has not been easy but I feel that I am ready to compete. I know the competition will be very stiff but I will give my best to try and reclaim the title,” noted the 32-year old.

Team Kenya list

100m men – Ferdinand Omanyala

400m men – Boniface Mweresa

400mhurdles men – Wiseman Were

800m women – Mary Moraa, Peninah Mutisya, Vivian Chebet

800m men – Emmanuel Korir, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Alex Ng’eno, Ferguson Rotich

1500m women – Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Brenda Chebet, Edina Jebitok

1500m men – Timothy Cheruiyot, Reynold Kipkorir, Abel Kipsang

3000m steeplechase – Jackline Chepkoech, Faith Cherotich, Beatrice Chepkoech

30000m steeplechase men – Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett, Simon Koech

5,000m women – Beatrice Chebet, Faith Kipyegon, Lilian Kasait, Margaret Chelimo

5000m men – Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, Cornelius Kemboi

10,000m women – Irene Kimais, Agnes Jebet, Grace Nawowuna

10,000m men – Nicholas Kimeli, Bernard Kibet, Kibiwott Kandie

20km racing walk – Samuel Gathimba, Emily Ngii

Javelin – Julius Yego

Marathon women – Rosemary Wanjiru Sally Chepyego, Betty Chepkwony, Margaret Wangari

Marathon men – Titus Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat, Joshua Kabelech, Michael Githae Mugo