Upstart athlete Naomi Korir will be banking on the experienced runners to win the World Relays title in the newly introduced 2x2x400m at the World Relay Championships at Selesia, Poland next month.
Korir, who made her debut at the World Indoor Championships this year is the youngest and less experienced runner and will team up with experienced World 800m silver medalist Ferguson Rotich, Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal and Africa junior runner Emily Cherotich.
The 800m specialist said the team has the best of the best and heading at the World Relay championships, they will come home with a medal.
“I have never run any relay but this is the greatest opportunity I have been handed in my life. It is a privilege to be in the team without hosting any trials to select the team Kenya,” said Korir.
She said each of the athletes in the team will bring their expertise for the success as she makes her debut in the baton race at the global showpiece.
“If you look at the line-up of Rotich, Kinyamal and Cherotich, we have high chances of winning the race in the first class team. This is the best combination we have in this race because each of the athletes have excelled in their individual categories,” explained Korir.
As an 800m runner, she said the 2x2x400m Relays is a great thing for her since it will be guiding her in speed work ahead of other championships ahead like qualification for Olympic Games.
“Running in this category will help in speed work because we run 400m two times, equivalent to 800m but with high speed because this is not the 800m.
Korir made her debut at the Lievin Indoor Meeting in France finishing in a disappointing position
She also competed for the country at the 2019 All Africa Games competing in 800m said her preparations have been good to get a good position.
Coached by veteran coach, Henry Lebo the athlete has been sharpening her skills at the Kipchoge Keino stadium in Eldoret.
“This time, I have been preparing well and my good preparations can earn me a place to compete at the Diamond League series,” added Korir.
Korir first made the Kenya team at the All Africa Games in 2019 but failed to reach the finals in the 800m but that did not deter her efforts.