Athletics Kenya (AK) has named a strong team of 58 athletes to represent the country at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo.
The team were selected after a thrilling day of national trials at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Over 150 athletes participated in the competition in which the top two finishers in each discipline earned automatic qualification whereas a third one was chosen by a selection panel.
Some of the top names to watch out for include triple Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, double Olympic (5000m and 10,000m) champion Beatrice Chebet, Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich, and Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, among others.
The team will immediately start training at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret before returning to Nairobi after CHAN tournament is over.
Speaking after the unveiling of the team, AK president Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei said;
“I want to wish them well and believe they will do the country proud at the World Championships. This is a team of champions and all of you have seen how we have selected the team today…based on the tough competition that was witnessed today,”.
He said this plan has been necessitated by the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN) to be held in Kenya from August 2-30 across all venues in Nairobi.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya – who said the cutthroat competition at the trials is a precursor of what to expect in Tokyo.
“This year’s national trials and the competition witnessed at this event gives us hope that we are in for a medal harvest, come September in Tokyo. A huge congratulations to all the athletes who have been selected in the team,” Mvurya said.
The CS assured the team of the government’s full support as they embark on training, noting their commitment to putting in place all measures to ensure their success.
