Track stars ready to descend at Nyayo National Stadium for African Games national trials

ATHLETICS Track stars ready to descend at Nyayo National Stadium for African Games national trials

Abigael Wafula 22:33 - 04.03.2024

Tons of invited athletes will be seeking to impress the crowds at the African Games national trials to be held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Athletics Kenya will host the African Games national trials on Tuesday and Wednesday with the hope of selecting a formidable team ahead of the continental showpiece to be held in Accra, Ghana from March 8 to 23.

AK will be hoping to select 30 athletes from the tons of invited athletes who will descend at the Nyayo National Stadium to showcase their skills.

The women’s 100m race will be a battle between Monica Safania and in-form Esther Mbagari. Mbagari has enjoyed an amazing 2024 season, starting off from the AK weekend meet at the Ulinzi Sports Complex before dominating the weekend meet at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya WhatsApp Channel for more news.

Eunice Kadogo has also made the list of the invited athletes and she will certainly hope to impress the crowds at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The men’s 100m race will see Hesborn Ochieng take on Mark Otieno, Justine Isaboke, Isaac Omurwa and Tyson Juma among other track sensations.

Otieno will seek redemption after ending his doping ban ended last year and he will be keen to make Team Kenya for the first time since then. The multiple national champion is also chasing the Olympic qualification time and the African Games are a great stage for him.

Omurwa, Ferdinand Omanyala’s younger brother will also seek to sharpen his skills, competing against senior athletes. Steve Onyango and Stephen Oluoch will also be in the mix.

The women’s 100mH race will see Rukia Nusra go up against a formidable field while the men’s race has attracted Wiseman Were and William Mbevi among other athletes.

The women’s 200m race will be a repeat of the 100m race with the addition of Damaris Mutunga, a World Under-20 medallist. The men’s 200m race will also be the same, having attracted more athletes from the men’s 100m race.

Meanwhile, the men’s 400m has attracted national champion Zablon Ekwam, going up against some strong opponents while the women’s race will be headlined by reigning World 800m champion Mary Moraa and Millicent Ndoro.

Moraa has also been invited for the 800m race while the men’s race will see youngster Emmanuel Wanyonyi going up against Wycliffe Kinyamal, Kipngetich Ngeno, Elias Ngeny and Ferguson Rotich. The 1500m will headlined by Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Jepchirchir and youngster Purity Chepkirui in the women’s race.

The men’s event will see Timothy Cheruiyot, the 2019 World Championships medallist, take on Abel Kipsang, Reynold Cheruiyot, Kyumbe Munguti and Vincent Keter among other athletes. In steeplechase, AK has invited Beatrice Chepkoech, Jackline Chepkoech and Faith Cherotich among the headliners while the men will be led by Simon Koech, Abraham Kibiwot and Leonard Bett.

In the 5000m women’s event, AK has invited Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet and Lilian Kasait while the men’s event will see Jacob Krop take on Nicholas Kipkorir and Cornelius Kemboi. The 10,000m women’s event will see Grace Loibach go up against Emmaculate Anyango and Agnes Jebet.

On their part, the men’s event will be led by Daniel Simiu, Sabastian Sawe and Kibiwott Kandie among other track long distance pros. The 20km race walk will be headlined by Emily Ngii in the women and Samuel Gathimba on the men’s side. Julius Yego has also be invited for the javelin.

Tags: