President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta congratulate Olympic champion and world record holder in the 800 meters Mr. David Rudisha after completion of the qualifiers for The 15th World Championships in Athletics in Beijing held at The Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani. Also present is the African record holder of the Javelin throw Mr. Julius Yego. PHOTO/PCSU
NAIROBI, August 1 – Four World champions led by London Olympics winner, Ezekiel Kemboi lead a star-studded squad of 46 that will chase glory for Kenya at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China between August 22 to 30 .
World Cross title holder Agnes Tirop and Commonwealth Games champion, James Magut headline the list of 65 athletes who were named in the team for the African Games in Congo Brazzaville following the conclusion of the joint Trials for both events in Nairobi on Saturday.
Former Olympics and worlds titleholder Brimin Kipruto, Daegu Worlds double distance winner, Vivian Cheruiyot and Osaka Worlds champion, Janeth Jepkosgei return to the biennial global track and field showpiece.
“I will be going to the final World Championships and then work for next year’s Olympics games then I retire. I would have stopped a long time ago but my body feels like running and I love running,” Kemboi, who is aiming for an unprecedented fourth global title said.
Diamond League title holder, Jairus Birech and Moscow silver medallist, Conseslus Kipruto are the other who complete Kenya’s most decorated steeplechase team in history.
Two-time world champion Asbel Kiprop returns to Beijing where he won his Olympics gold in 2008, albeit three years later, seeking a hat-trick, in the 1500m team that also includea, Diamond League title holder, Silas Kiplagat and breakout star Elijah Manangoi.
Continental winner, Eunice Sum will partner with her mentor Jepkosgei as she looks to defend the women’s 800m crown.
Also going for a third consecutive honours is Edna Kiplagat in the women’s marathon alongside 2014 New-York Marathon runner-up Jemimah Sumgong, Helah Kiprop and Visiline Jepkesho.
Olympics and world record holder, David Rudisha, will seek to reclaim the crown he won in South Korea in 2011 after being stunned by teammate and Bahamas World Relays silver medallist Ferguson Rotich.
World junior champion, Afred Kipketer, completes the two-lap team that is out to end the reign of Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman.
In the absence of title holder Milcah Chemos, Hyvin Kiyeng, Diamond League leader, Virginia Nyambura and Youth Olympics champion, Rosefline Chepng’etich will carry the country’s flag in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
World Cross and World Half Marathon champion, Geoffrey Kamworor and his bridesmaid from Guiyang, Bedan Karoki will be joined by Moscow bronze medallist, Paul Tanui in the men 10000m.
London Olympics silver medallist and US-based, Sally Kipyego who dropped out of the women’s 10000m race, was handed a wild card to team up with, Cheruiyot and Betsy Saina in the corresponding women’s race.
In the men’s 5000m, Commonwealth Games champion, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku who did not compete at the Trials was given outside selection by virtue of holding the Diamond League crown.
The Continental, African and World Indoor titleholder will be partnered by Trials winner and Beijing Olympics bronze medallist, Edwin Soi, Emmanuel Kipsang and Moscow bronze medallist, Isaiah Koech.
Africa record holder, Julius Yego is the only field events competitor, where he is out to make history by being the first Kenyan to step to the podium in the men’s Javelin after finishing fourth at the last edition.
The team that will report camp on Tuesday will be under the tutelage of head coach, Julius Kirwa while, Joseph Kinyua will be the team leader.
Alex Sanga was appointed the steeplechase coach while Geoffrey Kimani will manage the sprinters.
-Africa Games-
Members of the Kenyan team for the Beijing Worlds and African Games paraded after the Trials. PHOTO/Francis Mbatha
The Africa Games set to run from September 4 to 19, has the largest contingent with Kenya entering in three field events; women’s Hammer, Triple jump and Javelin both for men.
Also notable in the squad is Commonwealth Games champion, James Magut in the 1500m with Timothy Cheruiyot and Ronald Kwemoi.
TEAM KENYA
World Championships
MEN: 200m: Mike Mokamba, Carvin Nkanata; 400m: Alphas Kishoiyan; 800m: Ferguson Rotich, David Rudisha, Alfred Kipketer; 1500m: Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat, Elijah Manangoi; 5000m: Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku, Edwin Soi, Emmanuel Kipsang, Isaiah Koech; 10000m: Geoffrey Kamworor, Bedan Karoki and Paul Tanui; 400m Hurdles: Nicholas Bett, Boniface Mucheru, Harun Koech; 3000m steeplechase: Ezekiel Kemboi, Jairus Birech, Conseslus Kipruto; Javelin: Julius Yego; Marathon: Wilson Kipsang, Dennis Kimetto, Mark Korir.
WOMEN: 400m: Joyce Zakari, Maureen Jelagat; 800m women: Eunice Sum, Janeth Jepkosgei; 1500m: Faith Chepng’etich, Nancy Chepkwemoi, Violah Cheptoo Lagat; 5000m: Viola Kibiwott, Irene Cheptai, Mercy Cherono; 10000m: Vivian Cheruiyot, Betsy Saina, Sally Kipyego; 3000m steeplechase: Hyvin Kiyeng, Virginia Nyambura, Rosefline Chepng’etich; Marathon: Edna Kiplagat, Jemimah Jelagat Sumgong, Helah Kiprop, Visiline Jepkesho,
Head Coach: Julius Kirwa; Steeplechase coach; Alex Sang, Sprints coach; Geoffrey Kimani
Team leader; Joseph Kinyua; Physio: Jessica Chiraku, Peter Nduhiu, Samuel Samoei
Africa Games
MEN: 100M: Mike Mokamba; 200m: Mokamba, Carvin Nkanata; 400m: Boniface Mweresa, Raymond Kibet, Alex Sampao; 800m: Jackson Kivuva, Job Kinyor, Jonathan Kitilit; 1500m: Timothy Cheruiyot, Ronald Kwemoi, James Magut; 5000m: Isaiah Koech, Thomas Longosiwa, Joseph Kiplimo; 10000m: Vincent Yator, Leonard Barsoton, Geoffrey Kirui; 400m Hurdles: Kiprono Kosgei, Willy Mbevi, Geoffrey Kipkoech;3000m steeplechase: Abel Mutai, Clement Kemboi, Hilary Kemboi; Relay 4X100m; Mokamba, Mark Otieno, Tony Chirchir, Gilbert Otieno; Decathlon: Elijah Chesoen, Vincent Tarus, Girlbert Koech; High Jump: Mathew Sawe; Javelin: Alex Kiprotich, Nelson Yego; 20km Walk: Samuel Kereri, Simon Wachira, David Kimutai.
WOMEN: 100m: Eunice Kadogo; 400m: Jesica Shikanda, Maureen Thomas; 800m: Aneth Mwanzi, Sylvia Chesebe, Winnie Chebet; 1500m: Beatrice Chepkoech, Caroline Chepkemoi, Winfred Mbithe; 5000m: Janet Khisa, Margaret Jelimo, Alice Aprot; 10000m: Joyce Chepkurui, Gladys Chesri, Agnes Tirop; 4x100m: Kadogo, Millicent Ndoro, Fresher Mwangi, Maureen Thomas; 100m Hurdles: Priscilla Tabuda, Florence Wasike, Caroline Waiganjo; 400m Hurdles: Fransica Koki; 3000m Steeplechase women: Purity Cherotich, Magdalene Masai, Joan Jepkemoi; Heptathlon: Priscilla Tabuda, Jackline Jeruto; Hammer: Rebbeca Kerubo; 20km Walk: Grace Wanjiru, Grace Thoiti, Judith Cherop.
Head coach, John Mwithiga
Team Manager Dimmy Kisalu
