Two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui thinks Team Kenya at the World Championships in Oregon can replicate the 2015 Beijing performance, where they emerged overall winners.
Kirui, who won the world marathon titles in 2009 and 2011, said the country has a strong team that can sweep the podium, especially in marathons where experienced athletes will be featuring.
“We have a strong team that is capable of replicating the 2015 performance in Beijing. I missed a chance to talk to them before they departed for Oregon but all I can do is to pray for them,” he said.
In Beijing, China, Kenya won seven gold medals, six silver, and three bronze to emerge best.
Julius Yego is the only man who was part of Team Kenya in Beijing 2015. Yego, who won his first javelin world title in 2015, will be trying his second luck despite his dismal performance recently.
Yego made the team by virtue of being an African champion. In Beijing, Yego’s title in Beijing was the first ever for Kenya away from track and marathon.
The late Nicholas Bett won another gold medal in the 400m hurdles, equally making history on the continent after 43 years. Ugandan John Akii had last won the 400m hurdles in 1972. He crossed the finish line in 47:79 setting the national record.
This year, Moitalel Mpoke will be on track to restore Kenyan pride in the 400m hurdles.
Hyvin Jepkemei Kiyeng, who won gold in the 3,000m steeplechase will not have a chance to compete for the country in Oregon. However, her young sibling Judy Kiyeng will line up in the 1,500m.
Hyvin has a good history of clearing water and barriers after taking over from Milcah Chemos who had won the title in 2013 in Moscow, Russia. She also won gold at the 2011 Africa Games and a bronze at the Africa Championships among others.
In her absence, reigning world under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkirui, world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, a two-time world under 20 3,000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol Chepteek and Purity Kirui will be in the hunt for medals.
Kirui said Chepkirui refers to him as ‘dad’ after mentoring her to her current status including last year’s world U-20 title.
The men’s steeplechase quartet of defending champion Conseslus Kipruto, Commonwealth Games silver medalist Abraham Kibiwot, a former world under 20 champion Leonard Bett and Africa champion Benjamin Kigen will equally be strong.
Kipruto was part of the 2015 team, winning silver in the race won by Ezekiel Kemboi with Brimin Kipruto settling for bronze.
The men’s 1,500m will feature defending champion Timothy Cheruiyot, reigning Africa senior Athletics championships gold medalist Abel Kipsang, Kumari Taki and Charles Simotwo.
Popularly called the pocket rocket due to her tiny body physique, the Olympic Games 5,000m silver medalist Vivian Cheruiyot won gold in the 10,000m.
The Chemwabul primary school alumnus won the title and the 2022 title will be chased by double Olympic Games 5,000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri, two time national cross country champion Sheila Chepkurui and Margaret Chelimo.
Whether retired or still actively nursing his injuries, David Lekuta Rudisha, the son of the late 800m runner Daniel Rudisha won the men’s 800m title.
Having the world 800m record standing at 1:40.91, has won two Olympic Games 800m titles as well as Africa title and Africa junior titles.
In his place, reigning Olympic Games 800m champion Emmanuel Korir, reigning Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal, reigning world under 20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Cornelius Tuwei.
Geoffrey Kamworor won silver in the 10,000m behind champion Mo Farah. While Kamwororo’s training mate at the Global Sports Communication Camp Faith Kipyegon Chepngetich won silver in the 1,500m.
Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku also finished second for silver behind Farah who scooped a double victory in 5,000m and Helah Kiprop won silver in a marathon that was won by Mare Dibaba.
Bronze medalists were Paul Tanui in the 10,000m that was won by Farah with Kamworor taking silver, Brimin Kipruto and Eunice Jepkoech Sum, who failed to retain her 2013 title she had won in Moscow two years back.
As much as Yego was the only medalists returning to the championships,
World championships team
MEN
100M
Ferdinand Omanyala
400M
Emmanuel Korir
400MH
Moitalel Mpoke
800M
Emmanuel Korir, Wycliffe Kinyamal, Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Cornelius Tuwei
1500M
Timothy Cheruiyot, Abel Kipsang, Kumari Taki, Charles Simotwo
3000M Steeplechase
Conseslus Kipruto, Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett and Benjamin Kigen
5000M
Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, Daniel Simiu
10000M
Stanley Waithaka, Daniel Mateiko, Rodgers Kwemoi
20KM Walk
Samuel Gathimba
Marathon
Barnaba Kiptum, Geoffrey Kamworor, Lawrence Cherono
Women
400M
Mary Moraa
800M
Mary Moraa, Naomi Korir, Jarinter Mawia
1500M
Faith Kipyegon, Winnie Chebet, Edinah Jebitok, Judy Kiyeng
3000M SC
Beatrice Chepkoech, Jackline Chepkoech, Celliphine Chespol, Purity Kirui
5000M
Hellen Obiri, Beatrice Chebet, Margaret Chelimo, Gloria Kite
10000M
Hellen Obiri, Sheila Chepkurui, Margaret Chelimo
20KM Walk
Emily Ngii
Marathon
Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir, Angela Tanui, Judith Jeptum