With a team for the 2025 World Championships already selected after a spectacular national trials staged at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Tuesday, the country’s top guns are now in the most crucial phase in the Road to Tokyo campaign.
At the end of the trials, the selection panel produced a tapestry of experience and ambition in a team set to serve Kenya from September 13-21 in the Japanese capital – a city that hosted the 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.
Even before the dust from the hotly contested national trials settles, focus has shifted to what appears to be majorly tactical training for barely one and a half months until the biggest athletics extravaganza this year.
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Athletes who made the cut to fly Kenyan colours at the 2025 World Championships said the chase for medals will begin at the preparation stage.
Diamond League contests
In between their training, Kenyan track and field stars will be testing their speeds and endurance in the remaining four Diamond League meets, including the final in Zurich – all slated for August.
In the Diamond Leagues, an opportunity to face their potential competitors at Tokyo25 will be availed.
Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and world bronze medallist Faith Cherotic, as well as 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon, are among stars who are expected to compete at the Diamond League final, where they will close a brilliant track and field season before lining up in Tokyo.
Former World Under-20 3000m steeplechase champion Edmund Serem has set sights on the Diamond League final in Zurich, Switzerland, on August 27-28.
“For now, I will be preparing for the Diamond League final in Zurich as I train for the World Championships. During the one month at Team Kenya training camp, we are going to talk as the steeplechase team and plan how we are going to win the medals,” said Serem.
Timothy Cheruiyot, the 2019 world champion who qualified to represent Kenya for the sixth time in the global showpiece, says he will also be racing in at least a Diamond League meet before departure to Tokyo.
Cheruiyot says he is sharpening his body after struggling with injuries for many seasons.
“I have some Diamond League meetings to compete in because we have to complete the league first before we compete in the World Championships,” said Cheruiyot, who will be teaming up with young sensation Phanuel Koech and former World Under-20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot.
Speed and endurance
Like a number of other athletes in Team Kenya, Cheruiyot will be testing his speed during the preparation stage.
“I am happy that I am now injury-free, and I have the endurance. My main focus between now and the time I will participate in the World Championships is to improve my speed,” Cheruiyot, who is the most experienced in the country’s 1500m squad, to Tokyo, says.
Athletes such as Iten-based Cornelius Kemboi, who won the 5000m but is still chasing qualifying standards, said focus will be on building speed and competing ahead of the World Championships.
“I want to use the remaining period to gain the confidence and courage to sustain the lead in a race. Most of the time, I fear dictating the pace because and I will need to change this mindset,” Kemboi said.
Wanyonyi, who is eyeing a gold medal in the men’s 800 m, says he begins the complex part of his preparations.
“Everyone heading to Tokyo is targeting a med, and I have to work extra hard before September. My coach will offer guidance on the areas to improve,” the world silver medallist said.
Doubling
Kipyegon and Chebet – the country’s masters of doubling say they are taking to Tokyo pure experience but reveal that representing a country in two different events is the most challenging assignment.
According to Kipyegon, who is fresh from shattering her own 1500m world record in Eugene on July 5: “It is not an easy task to double, but with good preparation, it is going to be a successful outing.”
Kipyegon will be doubling in 1500m and 5000m. In 5000m, she will have the company of 10,000m and 5000m record breaker Beatrice Chebet and 10km world record holder Agnes Ngetich, as well as Margaret Akidor.
Ngetich, who will double in 5000m and 10,000m alongside Chebet, says not much will change in her training but notes that competing in the two events is not a walk in the park.
“It is a challenge to double in 5000m and 10,000m, and I hope for good results. Running with Faith (Kipyegon) and Beatrice (Chebet) gives me the confidence that we will win medals,” says Ngetich