Athletics Kenya has named a strong team that will head out to the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with plenty of athletes doubling in both events.
Athletics Kenya said they have selected an almost similar team to both Championships to ensure the country is strongly and well represented.
“Previously we would take the top three to the World Championships then maybe four and five to the Commonwealth Games but we wanted a very strong team in both events. The same team that will be in Oregon will head to Birmingham,” said Barnaba Korir, an Athletics Kenya Committee Member.
African 100m track champion Ferdinand Omanyala, Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Korir and Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal are among athletes lined up to feature in both World Championships in Oregon and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
With little over two weeks to the World Championships, Omanyala insists hard work begins now. “I wish I ran under 10 seconds but the trials are now finished and there is a huge task ahead of me. The World Championships are going to be tough and my focus after this is to train hard,” Omanyala said.
Hellen Obiri reigning 5,000m World champion, will participate in the 5,000m and 10,000m in Oregon, but will not compete in Birmingham.
She won the women’s 10,000m at the trials and attained World Championship qualification time, and was also eligible for Commonwealth.
Double Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon will lead team Kenya at Oregon alongside Winnie Chebet, Edna Jebitok and Judy Kiyeng.
Kipyegon will only concentrate on the 1500m race at the World Championships. At the Trials, she only ran the 800m and finished second which gave her a ticket to the Commonwealth Games, but she has not been selected in the team.
World Under-20 Champion steeplechase Champion Amos Serem and 10,000m winner Kibiwott Kandie, will not defend their titles in the World Championships team due to strict Anti-Doping rules but have been included in the team to Birmingham.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
Men
100m – Ferdinand Omanyala
400m – Emmanuel Korir
400mH – Moitalel Mpoke
800m – Emmanuel Korir, Wycliffe Kinyamal, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Cornelius Tuwei
1,500m – Timothy Cheruiyot, Abel Kipsang, Kumari Taki, Charles Simotwo
3,000m Steeplechase – Conseslus Kipruto, Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett, Benjamin Kigen
5,000m – Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, Daniel Simiu
10,000m – Stanley Waithaka, Daniel Mateiko, Rodgers Kwemoi
20km Walk – Samuel Gathimba
Marathon – Barnaba Kiptum, Geoffrey Kamworor, Lawrence Cherono
Women
400m – Mary Moraa
800m – Mary Moraa, Naomi Korir, Jarinter Mawia
1,500m – Faith Kipyegon, Winnie Chebet, Edinah Jebitok, Judy Kiyeng
3000m Steeplechase – Beatrice Chepkoech, Jackline Chepkoech, Celliphine Chespol, Purity Kirui
5,000m – Hellen Obiri, Beatrice Chebet, Margaret Chelimo, Gloria Kite
10,000m – Hellen Obiri, Sheila Chepkurui, Margaret Chelimo
20km Walk – Emily Ngii
Marathon – Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir, Angela Tanui, Judith Jeptum
COMMONWEALTH GAMES TEAM
Men
100m – Ferdinand Omanyala, Samuel Imeta
200m – Mike Mokamba. Dan Kiviasi
400m – Emmanuel Korir, Boniface Mweresa
400mH – Wiseman Were
800m – Wycliffe Kinyamal, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Elias Ngeny
1,500m – Timothy Cheruiyot, Abel Kipsang, Kumari Taki
3,000m steeplechase – Amos Serem, Conseslus Kipruto, Abraham Kibiwott, Amos Kirui (Reserve)
5,000m – Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, Cornelius Kemboi
10,000m – Kibiwot Kandie, Edward Zakayo, Daniel Simiu
10km Walk – Samuel Gathimba
Javelin – Julius Yego
Marathon -Philemon Kacheran, Erick Kiptanui, Jonathan Korir, Michael Githae (Reserve)
Women
100m – Maximila Imali
200m -Maximila Imali
400m -Mary Moraa, Veronica Mutua
800m -Mary Moraa, Jarinter Mawia
1500m – Winnie Chebet, Edinah Jebitok
3,000m steeplechase – Jackline Chepkoech, Celliphine Chespol, Purity Kirui (Reserve)
5,000m – Selah Jepleting, Beatrice Chebet
10,000m – Sheila Chepkurui, Irene Cheptai
10km Walk – Emily Ngii
Marathon – Margaret Wangari, Stella Barsosio, Maureen Chepkemoi, Purity Changwony (Reserve)