A formidable contingent of 104 athletes has been unveiled to carry the nation’s hopes at the upcoming World Relays and African Championships, following the conclusion of a pulsating three-day combined trials at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday.
From the squad, 30 athletes have been entrusted with relay duties at the World Relays, while 74 will don the national singlet for continental honours at the African Championships.
The World Relays are slated for May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana, with the African Championships taking centre stage from May 12-17 in Accra, Ghana.
In Gaborone, Kenya will parade five relay teams, the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays, men’s and women’s 4x400m squads, as well as the men’s 4x100m team.
The continental assault in Accra will be spearheaded by five-time javelin champion Julius Yego and world 1,500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot, both carrying the weight of expectation as seasoned campaigners.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s relay ambitions will be anchored by Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala alongside seasoned sprinter Millicent Ndoro, forming the backbone of the nation’s sprint arsenal.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei exuded confidence in the squad’s readiness, expressing belief in their ability to rise to the occasion on both fronts.
“We hope and believe that the athletes will do well. The athletes are ready and in high spirits,” Tuwei said.
“We wish them all the best as they go out to represent the country.”
The final day of action delivered a string of standout performances, headlined by the men’s 800m showdown, where Kelvin Loti stormed to victory in 1:45.04.
Laban Chepkwony followed closely in 1:45.19, with Brian Masai sealing the podium in 1:45.82.
Loti expressed satisfaction with his run, noting: “The race was good for me and I am happy with the results.”
With his continental ticket secured, the 800m ace is already eyeing a strong showing in Accra.
“I am hoping for good results at the African Championships,” he added.
In the men’s 5,000m, Denis Kemboi timed his race to perfection, clocking 13:33.74 to take top honours ahead of Andrew Alamisi (13:34.30) and Amason Kireu (13:36.42).
Alamisi revealed he had to dig deep after battling fatigue from the semi-finals.
“We started with the semis on Thursday and I was fourth, my body felt heavy that day, but I prayed to be strong in the finals.”
The youngster remains bullish about his medal prospects on the continental stage.
“When I make the Kenya team, I don’t miss a medal. This will be my first senior Team Kenya, and I hope for the best.”
The men’s 1,500m produced a tactical masterclass as Reynold Cheruiyot surged to victory in 3:36.1, edging Brian Komen (3:36.4) and Dominic Bargentuny (3:37.4).
Cheruiyot welcomed the result, underlining the competitive edge in the race.
“The race today was good, we pushed each other and I am glad with the results.”
Looking ahead to Accra, he added: “I hope for good results in Ghana. We will push ourselves with Komen to secure gold and silver.”
He further revealed that his international season will kick off in Xiamen, where he will step up to the 5,000m.
“My first international race, I will start with Xiamen and I will be running a 5,000m.”
Defending champion Brian Komen acknowledged the task ahead as he gears up to protect his continental crown.
“I had prepared well for this race; I was also using it to gauge my body.”
“I am the defending champion so I know I have a lot of work, but I will try my best to defend the title.”
Komen also echoed confidence in a Kenyan one-two finish.
“We will work with Reynold so that we can finish first and second.”
In the men’s javelin throw, Boniface Kilonzo edged a tightly contested duel, unleashing a winning throw of 76.76m to narrowly beat Alexander Kiprotich (76.71m), while Duncan Kinyanchui settled for third with 70.06m.
TEAM KENYA – WORLD ATHLETICS RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
4x100m Men and 4x100m Mixed (Male athletes)
Ronald Kiprono Koech
Mark Otieno Odhiambo
Moses Wasike Onyango
Elkana Kiprotich Sabila
Dennis Wangui Mwai
Meshack Kitsubuli Babu
Ferdinand Omanyala
Samuel Waweru Chege
Steve Odhiambo Onyango
4x100m Mixed Women
Millicent Ndoro
Diana Lilian Awako Aoko
Eunice Kadogo Murandafu
4x400m Men and 4x400m Mixed (Male Athletes)
Kelvin Kiprotich Tonui
Dennis Masika Mulongo
George Mutinda Mutuku
Kevin Kipkorir
Danson Kibet
Erick Kimathi
Brian Onyari Tinega
Kipkorir Rotich
Erastus Mbaluka Musilu
4x400m Women and 4x400m Mixed Female Athletes
Mercy Chebet
Hellen Syombua Kalii
Maureen Nanjala Wafula
Anne Mbatha Nzula
Margaret Naserian Tajeu
Mercy Adongo Oketch
Gladys Muthoni Ngure
Purity Chepkoech Joy
Lanoline Owino Aoko
TEAM KENYA – AFRICAN SENIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
100m Women
Millicent Ndoro
Lilian Aoko
Eunice Kadogo
100m Men
Ronald Koech
Mark Odhiambo
Moses Wasike
100m hurdles Women
Rukia Nusra
200m Women
Lilian Aoko
200m Men
Dennis Mwai
Ronald Koech
Elkana Sabila
400m Women
Mercy Chebet
Hellen Syombua
Maureen Wafula
400m Men
Kelvin Kiprotich
Dennis Masika
George Mutinda
400m hurdles Women
Gladys Ngure
Vanice Kerubo
400m hurdles Men
Kipkorir Rotich
Edward Ngunjiri
800m Women
Vivian Chebet
Alice Ekiru
Pauline Ndusu
800m Men
Kelvin Loti
Laban Chepkwony
Brian Masai
1500m Women
Mary Ekiru
Faith Chebet
Vivian Chebet
1500m Men
Reynold Cheruiyot
Brian Komen
Dominic Barngetuny
3000m steeplechase Women
Diana Chepkemoi
Mercy Chepngeno
Mercy Mageso
3000m steeplechase Men
Peter Rono
Shadrack Too
5000m Women
Maurine Chebor
Joyline Chepkemoi
Cynthia Chepkurui
5000m Men
Denis Kemboi
Andrew Alamisi
Laban Kosgei
10000m Women
Diana Wanza
Mercy Mageso
Phenah Yego
10000m Men
Kevin Chesang
Silas Senchura
Mathew Kipkoech
20km race walk Women
Sylvaia Kemboi
Caren Simiyu
20km race walk Men
Samuel Gathimba
Stephen Ndangiri
High jump Women
Faith Kipsang
High jump Men
Asbel Kemboi
Long jump Women
Zeddy Jesire
Long jump Men
Isaac Kimunu
Triple jump Women
Martha Nyabuto
Faith Kipsang
Winnie Bii
Triple jump Men
Amos Mwendwa
Gilbert Pkemoi
Kevin Kiprono
Shot put Women
Belinda Oburu
Sarah Okumu
Discus Women
Caroline Cherotich
Hammer Women
Roseline Rakamba
Hammer Men
Dominic Abunda
Javelin Men
Boniface Kilonzo
Alexander Kiprotich
Julius Yego
Javelin Women
Caroline Odwory
Decathlon
Edwin Too
