The first group of six Kenyan flag bearers for the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo,Japan,later thi year will be known tonight during the trials for 10,000m men and 5,000m women at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League in Eugene, USA.
Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet will go head to head against 10 km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngétich in the 5000m trials.
After finishing second in Budapest in 2023 behind Faith Kipyegon in the 5,000m race, Chebet, who has been in scintillating form since the Paris Olympics, will be keen to punch her ticket to Tokyo.
The 24-year-old will compete against a strong field that includes; Jebet Ng’etich, former 10,000m All African Games champion Caroline Nyaga, Margaret Akidor, African Games silver medallist Janeth Chepngetich, Hellen Ekalale, Caroline Kariba, Sarah Wanjiru and Maurine Chebor.
In addition to trying to secure a ticket to Tokyo, Chebet will aim to extend her lead in the Diamond League standings as she goes for a fourth win over the distance this season.
The top three finishers will punch their tickets for the World Championships alongside the defending champion Faith Kipyegon.
Kenyan women have excelled in the 5000m at the World Championships over the years.
Vivian Cheruiyot won gold in 2009 and 2011 before passing the baton to Hellen Obiri, who replicated the result, winning in 2017 and 2019, followed by Faith Kipyegon, who emerged the World Champion in 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.
Twelve athletes will fight for a maximum of three available slots at the global championships in the men’s 10,000m.
Silver medallist in the 2022 Stanley Waithaka Mburu will compete against experienced Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli, former 5000m under-20 champion Benson Kiplangat, Richard Etir, Ishmael Rokitto, Mathew Kipruto, Mathew Kipsang, Robert Kiprop, Edwin Kurgat, Samwel Chebolei, and Gideon Rono.
Kenya last won a World Championship gold in the men’s 10,000 metres in 2001 through Charles Kamathi, who followed the footsteps of Paul Kipkoech and Moses Tanui, who had bagged gold in the 1987 and 1991 editions.
