Team Kenya ready for battle at World Championships in Budapest

Kenyan athletes have fired a warning shot to their opponents ahead of the next month's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

A total of 57 athletes (32 men and 25 women) will fly the Kenyan flag in the Hungarian capital under the tutelage of head coach Julius Kirwa.

The Central European nation will host the premier annual global showpiece at the brand new National Athletics Centre on the eastern bank of the Danube River on the south side of Budapest.

Team Kenya's selection followed two-day trials staged at Nyayo Stadium over the weekend.

Those who have already punched tickets to the premier event have vowed to storm the podium.

They include Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, who has told his rivals to expect a tough battle.

Omanyala registered the third-fastest time in the world this year in the men's 100m during the national trials after clocking 9.85 seconds, only 0.1 seconds shy of his season's best.

"I've long since qualified for Budapest, but running 9.85 feels good. It was unexpected, but Budapest is now the priority, and I feel more ready than I was for Oregon 2022," Omanyala said.

"I've been seeking opportunities to compete. It's nice that I finally have them. I'm willing to compete in two races each month. I've grown into a big lad now. I observe some competitors setting fast times while others withdraw from the Budapest race. They should be aware of what Budapest has in store for me," Omanyala said.

Omanyala heads into the championships buoyed by his performance at the KipKeino Classic on May 13, where he clocked 9.84.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who will be flying the country's flag in the 800m, has also expressed a burning desire to storm the podium.

Wanyonyi clocked 1:44.09 ahead of Alex Ng'eno, who also qualified in 1:44.21. 

Olympic 800m silver medallist Ferguson Rotich missed the ticket after posting 1:44.71.

"Everything looks excellent and as we prepare to leave for Budapest, I encourage our supporters to stand with us. I felt powerful during the race and all I wanted to do was place among the top three to be in a good position for Budapest," Wanyonyi said.

World 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech secured a spot on the Kenyan plane to Budapest after posting  9:09.43 ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Jackline Chepkoech (9:14.56) and Faith Cherotich.

"The focus is on Budapest, where we hope for the best," Chepkoech said.

Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot said he hopes to stamp authority in the race after fizzing out to sixth in Eugene, Oregon, last year.

Cheruiyot blazed to triumph in 3:34.1 to outpace the world indoor champion Abel Kipsang, who also secured a ticket in 3:34.30.

The world under-20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot clocked 3:34.34 to wrap up the top three.

“My goal is to run well and reclaim my title in Budapest. I was impressed with my performance at the trials. The experience carried the day,” said Cheruiyot.

Team Kenyan

100m men – Ferdinand Omanyala

400m men – Boniface Mweresa

400mhurdles men – Wiseman Were

800m women – Mary Moraa, Peninah Mutisya, Vivian Chebet

800m men – Emmanuel Korir, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Alex Ng’eno, Ferguson Rotich

1500m women – Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Brenda Chebet, Edina Jebitok

1500m men – Timothy Cheruiyot, Reynold Kipkorir, Abel Kipsang

3000m steeplechase – Jackline Chepkoech, Faith Cherotich, Beatrice Chepkoech

30000m steeplechase men – Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett, Simon Koech

5,000m women – Beatrice Chebet, Faith Kipyegon, Lilian Kasait, Margaret Chelimo

5000m men – Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, Cornelius Kemboi

10,000m women – Irene Kimais, Agnes Jebet, Grace Loibach

10,000m men – Nicholas Kimeli, Bernard Kibet, Kibiwott Kandie

20km racing walk – Samuel Gathimba, Emily Ngii

Javelin – Julius Yego

Marathon women – Rosemary Wanjiru, Sally Chepyego, Betty Chepkwony, Margaret Wangari

Marathon men – Titus Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat, Joshua Kabelech, Michael Mugo