Omanyala, Moraa, Chebet in action as National Trials enter final day

ATHLETICS Omanyala, Moraa, Chebet in action as National Trials enter final day

Abigael Wafula 07:48 - 08.07.2023

The relays will wrap up the two-day event.

Day two of the World Championships National Trials will see the likes of Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Beatrice Chebet, and Commonwealth Games 800m champion Mary Moraa in action.

The women’s 10,000m race will be the opening event at the Nyayo National Stadium with youngster Grace Loibach campaigning for a Team Kenya slot against Sheila Chepkirui, Vicoty Chepngeno, and Margaret Chelimo who was in action on Friday in the women’s 5,000m. The race has also attracted Irine Kimais, Agnes Ngetich, Ednah Jebitok and Sandrafelis Chebet.

Up next will be the women’s and men’s 100m races. In the women’s field, National Police's Monica Safania will be up against Esther Mbagari of Kenya Prisons Service. Eunice Kadogo and Jacent Namahunge have also been invited.

In the men’s category, Omanyala, who has already hit the qualifying time, will battle it out with his brother Isaac Omurwa and Boniface Mweresa. Also entered in the mix are Wiseman Were, Steve Odhiambo, Dan Kiviasi, Samuel Chege, and Stephen Oluoch.

The men’s 5,000m will follow closely and it will promise to be a thriller since it has attracted Nicholas Kimeli, who has a wild card, Jacob Krop, Daniel Simiu, and Japan-based Bernard Kibet, who was in a class of his own in the 10,000m on Friday. Also, in contention for top honours will be youngsters Reynold Cheruiyot and Ishmael Kipkurui.

Next up will be the women’s 1,500m where trailblazing Nelly Chepchirchir will be hoping to join double world record holder Faith Kipyegon to the global show. She will, however, face an acid test since the race has also attracted experienced Judith Kiyeng, Winny Chebet, World Under-20 champion Brenda Chebet and Purity Chepkirui.

Diamond League Final Trophy winner Chebet will also be competing in the 1,500m to test her speed. She has a wild card in the 5,000m where she will hopefully team up with Kipyegon.

The next event will be the men’s 1,500m where 2019 World champion Timothy Cheruiyot goes head-to-head with juniors Reynold, Vincent Keter, Kyumbe Munguti, and Kamar Etiang. Abel Kipsang will also be fighting for the top prize.

World 2015 champion Julius Yego headlines the men’s javelin and will be vying for the ticket alongside Duncan Kinyanchui, Alexander Kiprotich, and Ita Nao Leshan. In the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, all eyes will be on world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech as she seeks to make a comeback after missing out on last year’s World Championships due to an injury.

Chepkoech will be up against 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 and all eyes will be on them to bring Kenya’s glory back.

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 where records are expected to fall as big names clash in the two-lap event.

Ferguson Rotich, Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal, former World Under-20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Ngeno Kipng’etich will also be vying for a slot in the global event. Each of them is a strong athlete and has posted good times and the race will definitely be a showdown.

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.