Emmanuel Korir might not be going to Budapest to defend his 800m world title due to an injury.
World and Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir has not been consistent in his performance since the season started and chances of him going to defend his title at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary remain slim.
Athletics Kenya Nairobi region chair Barnaba Korir revealed that his poor form has been due to a problem he encountered with his foot. The Diamond League Trophy winner opened his season with an eighth-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar.
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He then finished 10th at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, France, and later finished eighth at the Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. Barnaba, is, however, unfazed whether Korir makes it to Team Kenya or not.
“We want to select a team that shall compete well and win medals for us. Korir has an injury and hasn’t even been doing well in the Diamond League Meetings. However, he has a wild card to the event and we hope he shall make it to the event.
However, we have some upcoming athletes who are also capable of winning medals for us in the 800m. If Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Wycliffe Kinyamal make the team, they are very strong athletes who are capable of doing well,” Korir said.
Team Kenya is bound to face strong opposition as they seek to retain the 800m world title since there are other strong athletes who have been making headlines in the Diamond League Meetings.