Omanyala, Kipyegon, Moraa, Kandie, Wanyonyi - It's all or nothing as big guns converge for Kenyan Trials

ATHLETICS: Omanyala, Kipyegon, Moraa, Kandie, Wanyonyi - It's all or nothing as big guns converge for Kenyan Trials

Abigael Wafula 06:00 - 07.07.2023

The two-day event will be used to select a formidable team for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Athletics powerhouse Kenya is set to embark on a two-day event at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday and Saturday to select a formidable team that will represent the nation at the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19 to 27.

Team Kenya finished fourth on the medal table during last year's World Championships in Eugene, Oregon after bagging a total of 10 medals. They scooped two gold medals, five silver medals, and three bronze medals. 

A total of 211 athletes will assemble at the venue of the event with the hope of being among the chosen Team Kenya contingent. Among the star attractions are double world record holder Faith Kipyegon, Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and Commonwealth Games champion Mary Moraa among other great athletes.

The event will start off with the men’s 10,000m at 1:00 p.m. EAT with Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie and Berlin Half Marathon champion Sabastian Sawe taking on the tough field with the hope of finishing among the top-two.

World 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka has been forced to withdraw due to an injury. Edward Zakayo will also be in the mix vying for a slot in the global showpiece. Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, and Daniel Mateiko have also been invited to grace the event and they will definitely be hoping to shine.

Next in line will be the men’s 100m semifinals where Omanyala will lead a pack of 10 athletes including his younger brother Isaac Omurwa. Omanyala will be up against National Champion Wiseman Were, Robinson Motende, Steve Odhiambo, Dan Kiviasi and Stephen Oluoch.

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In the other category, Omurwa will lock horns with Moses Onyango, Bonface Mweresa, Samuel Waweru, and Hesborn Ochieng.

The women’s 5000m final will be next with Diamond League Trophy winner Beatrice Chebet headlining the event. Chebet has a wildcard to the global event and she’ll be up against Kipyegon, who has a wildcard in the 1500m. National champion Lilian Kasait, Grace Loibach, Judith Kiyeng, and Beatrice Chepkoech will also be in the 12.5-lap race with the hope of making the cut.

The men’s 400m semi-finals and women’s 400m final will be next in line. The men’s event has attracted Mweresa, Elkanah Chemelil, and National Champion Zablon Ekwam fight for top honors. In the women’s category, Moraa will be up against young talent Mercy Oketch, Millicent Ndoro, and Veronica Mutua.

The men’s 800m will see Wycliffe Kinyamal, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Emmanuel Korir (who has a wildcard), and, Elias Ngeny who will be fighting for a slot in the final. Ferguson Rotich and Ngeno Kipng’etich have also been invited. The 200m men’s and women’s finals will follow closely. The men’s race will see Oluoch fighting for the Budapest ticket alongside Were, Odhiambo, Mweresa, and Kiviasi. The mixed 4x400m relay will close the curtains on today’s event.

Day two will start off with the women’s 10,000m where youngster Loibach will also be competing and she’ll face a stern test since the race has attracted oldies like Irine Kimais and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Irine Cheptai who will be opening her season at the event. Other athletes to look out for will be Purity Chepkirui and Ednah Jebitok.

Next in line will be the women’s 100m final where National Police Officer Monica Safania will be competing for the Team Kenya slot against Esther Mbagari, Eunice Kadogo, and Jacent Namahunge. The men’s 100m final will follow closely and then the men’s 5000m will be underway.

The 12.5 lap race will also promise to be a showdown with Simiu, Cornelius Kemboi, and youngsters Ishmael Kipkurui and Reynold Cheruiyot fighting for the top prize. Nicholas Kipkorir has a wild card in the race after winning last year’s Diamond League Final Trophy.

Next up will be the women’s 1500m where trailblazing Nelly Chepchirchir will be hoping to join Kipyegon to the global show. She will, however, face a stern test since the race has also attracted experienced Kiyeng, Winny Chebet, World Under-20 champion Brenda Chebet and Purity Chepkirui.

The men’s 1500m final will see the 2019 World champion Timothy Cheruiyot go head-to-head with Reynold, Abel Kipsang, Vincent Keter, Kyumbe Munguti, and Kamar Etiang.

The men’s javelin has attracted 2015 World champion Julius Yego who will be vying for the ticket alongside Duncan Kinyanchui, Alexander Kiprotich, and Ita Nao Leshan. The women’s event has attracted Irene Jepkemboi, Gladys Jepkemboi, Martha Musai, and Salome Moraa.

World record holder Chepkoech headlines the women’s 3000m SC and she will enjoy the company of Jackline Chepkoech, Faith Cherotich, Pamela Kosgei, and Fancy Cherono. In the men’s field, Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwott will lead a field of 10 strong men each hoping for the unexpected to happen. Leonard Bett, Benjamin Kigen, Amos Serem, and two-time World Champion Conseslus Kipruto have also been invited.

Dancing queen Moraa has a wildcard in the women’s 800m and she’ll leave the mantle to Susan Ejore, Vivian Kiprotich and Naomi Korir to fight for top honours. Following closely will be the men’s 800m final.

The relays will wrap up the two-day event. They include the 4x400m women’s team, the 4x400m men’s team, and the 4x100m men’s team.