NAIROBI, Kenya, July 4- Last year’s Dusseldorf champion Agnes Barsosio and Nicholas Kipkemboi who finished sixth at Stanchart Dubai have been drafted to Kenya’s marathon squad for the Moscow World Championships on Wednesday.
The latest development comes as Athletics Kenya (AK) mulls over entering ten athletes, five men and five women, in the ultimate distance race at the IAAF biennial showpiece event instead of the six they had earlier indicated.
According to the federation’s vice-president in charge of Administration, Competitions and International Affairs, David Okeyo, the new pair will be considered for competition should they impress the coaches at the training camp in Iten.
“AK has selected Nicholas Kipkemboi and Agnes Jeruto Barsosio for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.”
“They will join the already selected marathoners in the training camp in Iten on July 8. If all train well to the satisfaction of the coaches then we shall enter five marathoners in both men’s and women’s teams,” the brief from Okeyo read.
Kipkemboi who ran 2:06:33 on his marathon debut in Dubai on Jan. 25 will join Bernard Kiprop Koech, Michael Kipkorir Kipyego, Bernard Kiprop Kipyego and Peter Kimeli Some in the men’s line-up that will seek to defend the title won by double world champion, Abel Kirui in Daegu, South Korea, two years ago.
Kirui pulled out of the event due to an ankle injury last month. Barsosio is set to team up with defending champion, Edna Kiplagat, Lucy Kabuu, Eunice Kirwa and Margaret Agai in the women’s squad.
AK had earlier earmarked Bernard Kiprop Koech, Michael Kipkorir Kipyego, Bernard Kiprop Kipyego for competition in the men’s squad with Peter Kimeli as the reserve.
Kiplagat, Kabuu and Kirwa were set to run in the corresponding women’s race with Agai as the reserve runner.
Kenya entered ten athletes in the marathon at the Daegu Worlds as Kirui led Vincent Kipruto to the men’s gold and silver as Kiplagat took the honours in the women’s race where Priscah Jeptoo and Sharon Cherop completed the unprecedented clean sweep.
Jeptoo asked to be withdrawn from Moscow due to fatigue on Tuesday and AK accented to her request.
