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The World Athletics Championships taking place in Tokyo, Japan, in September is a highly anticipated global championship, as so many athletes have performed near or at world record levels. Athletics Kenyan named its team this week. Again, as usual, they appear powerful.

The big Kenyan names are Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Peres Jepchirchir, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Timothy Cheruiyot and Phanuel Koech. Mary Moraa in the 800 metre event has not run consistently this year; however, she seems to be in contention for a medal at all events dating back to her performance at the 2022. However, she did pull off a strong race in Sweden during the Diamond League, clocking a 1:57.83 performance. Sarah Moraa is Mary’s first cousin.

The Kenyan men’s marathon team is led by Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, whose personal best time is 2:03:13. Ngetich achieved this performance at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, where he finished second to Eliud Kipchoge.

Peres Jepchirchir leads the women’s marathon contingent. Her 2024 London Marathon finish time was 2:16:16. The women go on September 14, the men the following day. Full team lists are below. Note the 4 x 4 metre mixed relay team does not appear to have all of its athletes confirmed, yet.

Ruth Chepngetich has the fastest women’s time in the marathon at 2:09:56 from the 2024 event; however, she is under suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. She cannot be on the team.

Kenya continues to give the sprints a go with one women’s 400m athlete in Mercy OKetch and one men’s 100m sprinter in Ferdinand Omanyala. Julius Yego is the lone field event participant in the Javelin.

Kenya’s 58-member team, selected after national trials in Nairobi

EventAthleteAthleteAthleteAthlete
Women
400mMercy Oketch
800mMary MoraaLilian OdiraVivian KiprotichSarah Moraa
1500mFaith KipyegonNelly ChepchirchirSusan EjoreDorcas Ewoi
4 x 400 mixed relayMercy ChebetLanoline AokoEsther Mbagari
3000mscFaith CherotichDoris LemngolePamela Kosgei
5000mFaith KipyegonBeatrice ChebetAgnes Jebet NgetichMargaret Ekidor
10,000mBeatrice ChebetAgnes Jebet NgetichJaneth Chepngetich
MarathonPeres JepchirchirJackline CheronoMagdalyne MasaiVivian Cheruiyot (Alternate)
MenAthleteAthleteAthleteAthlete
100mFerdinand Omanyala
400mGeorge MutindaBrian TinegaKevin Kipkorir
800mEmmanuel WanyonyiNicholas Kiplangat KebeneiKelvin Loti
1500mPhanuel Kipkosgei KoechReynold CheruiyotTimothy Cheruiyot
3000msEdmund SeremSimon Kiprop KoechAbraham Kibiwott
5000mNicholas Kipkorir
10,000mEdwin KurgatIsmael KipkiruiBenson Kiplangat
MarathonVincent Kipkemoi NgetichErick Kiplangat SangKennedy KimutaiHillary Kipkoech (alternate)
400mhWisemen Were
JavelinJulius Yego