David Rudisha of Kenya wins the Mens 800m Final during the Adidas Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island on June 13, 2015 in New York City . PHOTO/AFP
NAIROBI, July 27- Athletics Kenya (AK) on Monday released the invited list for the Beijing IAAF World Championships Trials with nail-biting contests on the cards on Friday and Saturday in Nairobi.
Olympics 800m men champion and record holder, David Rudisha alongside reigning world champions, Eunice Sum (women 800m), Asbel Kiprop (men 1500m), Milcah Chemos (women 3000m steeple) and Ezekiel Kemboi (men 3000m steeple) headline the star-studded casts.
As is tradition at any Kenyan Trials, reputations will be sustained, others made and the mighty will fall especially in the distance races where all attention will be focused.
However, with the country keen to make an impression in short distance and field events, AK, has invited a cast of continental and national champions led by US based Carvin Nkanata to share the stage with men Javelin sensation, Julius Yego, who broke the African record Birmingham with his 91.39m winning monster throw to the Trials party.
In the men 800m, Rudisha who is bidding to reclaim the title he last won in the 2011 edition in Daegu, South Korea has a deep field to contend with bronze medallist, Timothy Kitum, semi finalist, Anthony Chemut who partnered him at the London 2012 Olympics also invited.
Fast rising World Junior and 2013 World Youth champion, Alfred Kipketer, Bahamas World Relays silver winner, Ferguson Cheruiyot, Job Kinyor, Jeremiah Mutai and Robert Kiptoo who feature highly on the world list are other hot Beijing prospects in the field of 12.
There was no place for World Youth stars, gold medallist Willy Tarbei and silver winner, Kipyegon Bett who ran 1:44 last month in Nairobi before delivering the 1-2 in Cali, Colombia.
-Untouchable Sum-
Eunice Sum wins the Commonwealth gold medal in Scotland. PHOTO/File
The seemingly untouchable Sum will be expected to prevail over opposition led by her mentor and 2007 World Champion, Janeth Jepkosgei with World Junior champion, Margaret Nyareira, the breakout star from last year and Sylvia Chesebe likely to duel for the remaining ticket should AK opt to send three in the corresponding women’s 800m race.
Kiprop, who is bidding for the Worlds hat-trick has a sterner test in the men’s Metric Mile with an imposing collection of 22 hopefuls invited to the Trials where qualification rounds will be used to obtain the finalist to fight for Beijing.
Among those with potential to upset the superstar who has bounced back to fearsome form include perennial local rival and Worlds silver medallist, Silas Kiplagat, Commonwealth winner, James Magut, World Junior record holder, Ronald Kwemoi, Elijah Manangoi who places high on the 2015 World lists among others.
Kenya is yet to produce a woman 1500m world champion but in Commonwealth champion, Faith Chepng’etich, hope abounds and the battle for the other 16 invitees in the event will be to fight for places to punch tickets alongside the two-time World Cross Junior champion.
Commonwealth, African, Continental and Diamond League 5000m titleholder, Caleb Mwangangi who has made flooring double world champion, Britain’s Mo Farah, his pet subject has a daunting fight in his hands to underline his favourite status.
Only returning from injury, Mwangangi returned to the groove by winning in Monaco but the Trials will give him a harsh test with Worlds bronze winner, Isaiah Kiplangat Koech, resurgent London Olympics bronze medallist, Thomas Longosiwa and his predecessor from Beijing, Edwin Soi, fronting the lead contenders.
-Kipsang headlines-
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor and silver winner, Martin Mathathi speak after their Guiyang World Cross 1-2. PHOTO/File
World Cross champion, Geoffrey Kipsang, Japan based Paul Tanui, the 2011 World Cross silver winner and US NCAA circuit champion, Lawi Lalang are among the 16 invitees in the 12 and a half-lap showdown who are capable of mixing with the best.
In the women’s race, returning 2011 double world champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, who has been working on her speed to pose a challenge has Commonwealth titleholders, Mercy Cherono who warned up with victory in London and Chenpng’etich who is listed for the double as the top opposition.
Kamworor spearheads the men 10,000m list as Kenya desperately seeks an answer to Farah and to bag a title last won by retired Moses Tanui in 1991.
Again, Tanui who leads the Kenyan 2015 list in the event with 26:49.41 and former World Junior star, Emmanuel Bett and Vincent Yator are in a collection of 36 given the green light to vie for Beijing.
His Guiyang World Cross bridesmaid and Japan based, Bedan Karoki, is also on the 10,000m list having stated his intention in China to vie for the world title.
-Kemboi vs Birech-
Ezekiel Kemboi (left) and Jairus Birech over a barrier in Oregon. Picture/IAAF
Since the Berlin 2009 edition, the planet has not known another men 3000m steeplechase champion apart from the all-dancing Kemboi and Beijing presents him with a chance to chase history with a fourth straight crown, surpassing his retired idol and three-time winner, Moses Kiptanui.
However, he will not have it his own way at the Trials with Diamond League winner, Jairus Kipchoge, his bridesmaid from Moscow, Conseslus Kipruto and Commonwealth titleholder, Jonathan Muia Ndiku also in the fray.
Having failed to impress this season after winning silver at the Scotland Club Games last year, Chemos has been overshadowed by breakout Diamond League star and protégée, Virginia Nyambura and former World Junior champion Hyvin Kiyeng and Saturday is a red letter day for the Moscow winner in the women’s 3000m steeple.
The sprints will give Nkanata, who has sizzled in the American collegiate circuit give home fans a chance to sample her prowess with double national champion, Mike Mokamba, who set the National Record in the dash at the recent local track and field championships the main contender in the men 100m and 200m races.
Having slowed down since his Africa record breaking throw, crowd-puller Yego who is bidding to become the first Kenyan athlete to medal in field events at the Worlds has a chance to impress in Nairobi in the men Javelin and he usually, never disappoints.
AK FULL TRIALS INVITE LIST
100M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 EUNICE KADOGO 11.86
2 FRESHA MWANGI 11.89
3 MONICAH ZAPHANIA 11.95
4 ELIZABETH NEKESA 12.27
5 SAFINA MUKOSWA 12.28
6 DIANA KHAEMBA 12.39
7 MARY TANUI 12.69
8 MILLICENT NDORO 12.0
100MH WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 PRISCILA TABUNDA 14.08
2 CAROLINE WAIGANJO 14.40
3 FLORENCE WASIKE 14.73
4 VERONICAH CHEBET 14.94
5 GEORGINA MBINYA 16.37
200M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 JOYCE SAKARI 22.4
2 EUNICE KADOGO 23.2
3 MAURINE THOMAS 23.5
4 MILLICENT NDORO 23.8
5 SAFINA MUKOSWA 24.0
6 CATHERINE NANDI 24.4
7 LYDIA KARANI 24.7
8 HELLEN SYOMBUA 24.06
400M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 JOY SAKARI 51.14
2 MAURENE JELAGAT 52.24
3 JECINTA SHIKANDA 53.06
4 EMILY CHEROTICH 54.14
5 CATHERINE NANDI 54.19
6 VERONICAH MUTUA 54.50
7 MAURINE THOMAS 55.60
400M H WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 FRANCISCA KOKI 55.82
2 JERIOTH GATHOGO 59.31
3 FLORENCE WASIKE 60.04
4 MIRIAM CHEPKURUI 60.54
5 BETTY CHELANGAT 61.31
800M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 EUNICE SUM 1:56.99
2 JANETH JEPKOSGEI 2:00.02
3 MARGRET NYAIRERA 2:00.49
4 SYLVIA CHESEBE 2:05.2
5 FRIDAH MWIKALI 2:05.5
6 JARINTER MAWIA 2:05.9
7 SHEILA CHESANG 2:06.6
8 VIOLA LAGAT 2:02.61
9 CHERONO KOECH 2:04.07
10 LYDIA WAFULA 2:03.03
11 SARA BUSIENEI 2:04.4
12 MARRIAM CHEPKEOI 2:04.4
13 ECLAY NALIANYA 2:05.2
1500M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 KIPYEGON, FAITH CHEPNGETIC 3:58.01
2 VIOLA LAGAT 4:04.10
3 ANN KARINDI MWANGI
4:05.23
4 NANCY CHEPKWEMOI 4:03.09
5 STACY CHEPKEMBOI NDIWA 4:06.10
6 PERIL NENGAPI 4:03.98
7 JUDY KIYENG 4:11.46
8 SELLAH JEPLETING 4:13.21
9 IRENE JELAGAT 4:04.07
10 CAROLINE CHEPKEMOI 4:14.95
11 IRENE CHEPKEMOI 4:19.00
12 WINFRED MBITHE 4:15.68
13 BETTY NJERI 4:20.18
14 CYNTHIA KOSGEI 4:20.97
15 IVENE CHEPKEMOI 4:15.0
16 EVA CHERONO 4:15.2
17 SHELLA KETER 4:11.21
3000M SC WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 IVY KIYENG 9:11.28
2 NYAMBURA, VIRGINIA 9:13.85
3 PURITY CHEROTICH KIRUI 9:17.89
4 MILKA CHEMOS CHEYWA 9:21.91
5 CHEPKURUI, LIDYA 9:26.54
6 CAROLINE CHEPKURUI TUIGONG 9:34.15
7 MASAI, MAGDALENE 9:29.16
8 DAISY JEPKEMEI 9:38.16
9 JOAN CHEPKEMOI 9:24.77
10 GLADYS CHEROTICH KIPKEMOI 9:42.88
11 ROSEFLINE CHEPNGTICH 9:39.77
12 FANCY JEROTICH 9:41.02
13 EUNICE JEPKORIR KERTICH 9:39.08
14 ANN GATHONI 9:41.40
15 NANCY KIMAIYO 9:52.2
16 AGNES CHESANG 9:46.1
17 HYVIN JEPKEMOI 9:22.58
5000M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 MERCY CHERONO 14:34.10
2 VIOLA JELAGAT KIBIWOTT 14:34.22
3 FAITH KIPYEGON 14:31.95
4 SALLY JEPKOSGEI KIPYEGO 14:37.18
5 CHEPTAI, IRINE CHEBET 14:53.32
6 JELAGAT, IRENE
14:55.49
7 MASAI, MAGDALENE 14:58.54
8 NENGAMPI, PERINE 15:08.39
9 STACY NDIWA KIPKEMBOI 15:15:14
10 ROSEMARY MONICA WANJIRU 15:15.47
11 AGNES TIROP CHEBET 15:00.19
12 JANET KISA 14:52.59
13 MARGARET CHELIMO KIPKEMBOI 27.32
14 GLADYS CHESIR KIPTAGELAIL 15:19.93
15 NANCY NZISA 15:51.59
16 JOYLINE KOIMA 15:51.83
17 MARY NJOKI 15:52.61
18 MARY WANGUI 15:58.05
19 MONICA LAGAT 15:36.28
20 ALICE APOROT 15:36.92
21 ROSELINDA JEPKETER 15:49.68
22 RISPA CHEBET 16:00.66
23 VALENTINE MATEIKO 16:02.62
24 JANET MASAI 16:05.61
25 LILIAN KASAIT 16:05.61
26 PASCALINA JEPTANUI 16:06.11
27 WINFRED MOSETI 16:10.51
28 PAULINE EYAPAN
10000M WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 SALLY CHPKOSGEI KIPYEGO 30:46.26
2 BETSY SAINA 30:46.26
3 SELLY CHEPYEGO KAPTICH 31:28.07
4 DORICAH OBARE KERUBO 31:45.24
5 GRACE MBUTHYE KIMANZI 31:57.35
6 VIVIAN CHERUIYOT 31:13.29
7 EMILY CHEBET MUGE 26.18
8 JOYCE CHEPKURUI 32:07.0
9 JACKLINE CHEPNGENO 32:08.2
10 GLADYS CHESIR 32:10.6
11 BEATRICE MUTAI 32:14.0
12 LUCY CHERUIYOT 32:21.4
13 GLADYS CHERONO 32:24.1
14 REBECCA CHESIRE 32:43.1
15 VERONICA NYARWAI 32:57.0
16 GLADYS KOECH 33:49.7
17 ELVIN KIBET 32:40.22
18 SUSAN WAIRIMU 32:46.68
19 LUCY KABUU 32:50.37
20 STACY CHEPKEMOI
21 IRENE CHEBET CHEPTAI
22 EMILY CHEBET
23 JANET KISA
24 MARGARETCHELIMO KIKEMOI
20KM WALK WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 GRACE WANJIRU 1:35.40
2 GRACE THOITI 1:42.35
3 JUDITH CHEROP 1:50.35
4 RUTH WANGUI 1:52.25
5 SUSAN CHEPNGETICH
6 MILKA WANJA
7 MARGARET MAINA
HAMMER WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 REBECCA KERUBO 48.3
2 LUCY OMONDI 49.83
3 LINDA OSESO 58.05
TRIPLE JUMP WOMEN
# ATHLETE TIME
1 GETRUDE CHEPCHIRCHIR 13.16
2 IRVIN JEPKEMOI 12.34
3 JANET CHEPCHUMBA 12.28
4 PETRONILA MWONGE 12.14
HIGH JUMP WOMEN
# ATHLETE DIST
1 CAROLINE CHEROTICH 1.70
2 IRVIN JEPKEMOI 1.57
3 PRISCILA TABUNDA 1.55
4 PRISCILA NASIMIYU 1.55
5 VIVIAN ARUSEI 1.55
100M MEN (FINALS) (QWC10.16/AAG10.44)
ATHLETE TIME
1 MIKE MOKAMBA 10.23
2 MARK OTIENO 10.48
3 BRIAN GATURA 10.50
4 EMMANUEL LENTUKUNYE 10.58
5 TONY CHIRCHIR 10.63
6 SIMON KIMARU 10.64
7 PHILIP NGWONO 10.71
8 GILBERT OTIENO 10.79
200M MEN (FINALS) (QWC2050/AAG21.24)
ATHLETE TIME
1 NKANATA CARVIN 20.14
2 MIKE MOKAMBA 20.50
3 PIUS MUYA 20.86
4 COLLINS OMAE 21.26
5 ELISHA KIBICHII 21.38
6 STENLEY KIETI 21.40
7 BONIFACE KHAGAI 21.44
8 MWAI PETER 21.50
400M MEN (QWC45.50/AAG46.64)
# ATHLETE TIME
1 ALEX SAMPAO 45.22
2 ALPHAS KISHOYAN 44.75
3 RAYMOND BETT 45.39
4 BONIFACE MUCHERU 46.30
5 JOSEPH POGISHO 45.85
6 SOLOMON BUOGA 46.19
7 NEWTON RONO 46.37
8 MOSES KERTICH 46.64
400M H MEN(AAG50.94/WC49.50)
# ATHLETE TIME
1 BONIFACE MUCHERU 48.92
2 NICHOLAS BETT 49.09
3 HARON KOECH 49.71
4 WILLY MBEVI 49.96
5 KIPRONO KOSKEI 50.39
6 GEOFFREY KIPKOECH 50.73
7 VINCENT KOSKEI 52.3
8 WESONGA VALENTINE 52.9
800M MEN (QWC 1:46.00/AAG 1:47.30)?
# ATHLETE TIME
1 DAVID RUDISHA 1:43.58
2 JOB KINYOR 1:43.92
3 FERGUSON CHERUIYOT 1:43.92
4 ALFRED KIPKETER 1:44.33
5 ROBERT KIPTOO 1:44.69
6 TIMOTHY KITUM 1:45.45
7 MUTAI, JEREMIAH KIPKORIR
1:45.50
8 JACKSON KIVUVA 1:45.40
9 NICHOLAS KIPLAGAT 1:45.90
10 SAMMY KIRONGO 1:46.20
11 ROBERT BIWOTT 1:44.69
12 ANTHONY CHEMUT 1:44.72
13 JEREMIAH MUTAI 1:44.85
14 JOSHUA TAMBATI MASIKONDE 1:45.14
15 SAMMY KIRONGO 1:45.30
16 ELIUD RUTTO 1:45.37
17 EVANS KIPKORIR 1:45.50
18 EDWIN KEMBOI 1:45.50
19 NICHOLAS KIPKOECH 1:45.70
20 JONATHAN KITILIT 1:45.08
21 PATRICK KIPROTICH 1:45.40
1500M MEN (QWC3:36.20/AAG3:39.00)
# ATHLETE TIME
1 ASBEL KIPROP 3:26.69
2 ELIJAH MANANGOI 3:29.67
3 COLLINS CHEBOI 3:31.88
4 RONALD KWEMOI 3:30.40
5 MAGUT JAMES 3:31.76
6 SILAS KIPLANGAT 3:30.12
7 HILLARY CHEBOI 3:35.40
8 NIXON CHEPSEBA 3:35.37
9 TIMOTHY CHERUIYOT 3:34.24
10 BETHNEL BIRGEN 3:31.22
11 VINCENT KIBET 3:31.96
12 AUGUSTINE CHOGE 3:35.5
13 VINCENT MUTAI 3:35.63
14 ELIJAH KIPTOO 3:35.81
15 ABEDNEGO CHESEBE 3:36.21
16 LAWI LALANG 3:36.34
17 EDWARD CHESEREK 3:36.50
18 ISMAEL KOMBICH
3:34.64
19 KATUI MUYA 3:38.7
20 HILARY NGETICH 3:35.40
21 HILLARY KIPKORIR MAIYO 3:35.20
22 GILBERT KWEMOI 3:35.68
5000M MEN (QWC13:23.00/AAG13:30.00)(FINALS)
# ATHLETE TIME
1 PAUL TANUI 12:58.69
2 LONGOSIWA, THOMAS 12:59.78
3 EDWIN SOI 12:29.82
4 CALEB MWANGANGI NDIKU 12:59.17
5 LAWI LALANG 13:03.85
6 KOECH, ISIAH KIPLANGAT 13:07.33
7 JOHN KIPKOECH CHEPKWONY 13:07.60
8 CORNELIUS KIPRUTO KANGOGO 13:11.14
9 AUGUSTINE CHOGE KIPRONO 13:06.12
10 JONATHAN MUIA NDIKU 13:12.94
11 EMMANUEL BETT 13:14.91
12 VINCENT KIPSANG RONO 13:16.42
13 MOSES MUKONO 13:19.00
14 BEDAN KAROKI 13:21.28
15 GEOFREY KAMWOROR 13:14.7
16 EMMANUEL KIPSANG 13:14.91
10000M MEN (QWC27.45.00/AAG 28:38.00) (FINALS)
# ATHLETE TIME
1 PAUL KIPNGETICH TANUI 26:49.41
2 GEOFREY KIPSANG KAMWOROR 26:52.65
3 GEOFFREY KIRUI KIPKORIR 27:17.91
4 EMMANUEL BETT KIPKEMEI 27:22.34
5 VINCENT YATOR 27:51.00
6 CHARLES YOSEI 27:54.6
7 JAMES RONGARO 28:02.02
8 STEPHEN ARITA 28:02.7
9 DAVID BETT 28:07.4
10 EMMANUEL NGUTUNY 28:08.4
11 PETER KIRUI 28:16.5
12 PHILEMON CHEBOI 28:17.7
13 NOBERT KIGEN 28:18.2
14 JOSPHAT BETT 27:40.20
15 STEPHEN SAMBU 26:54.61
16 LEONARD BARSOTON 27:20.74
17 JAMES MWANGI 27:23.66
18 WILLIAM SITONIK 27:25.56
19 EDWARD WAWERU 27:26.92
20 JEREMIAH THUKU 27:28.27
21 KENETH KIPROP KIPKEMOI 27:30.94
22 BERNARD KIMANI 27:36.60
23 SHADRACK KIPCHIRCHIR 27:36.79
24 PATRICK MUENDO MWAKA 27:37.67
25 TITUS MBISHEI 27:31.48
26 BEDAN KAROKI 26.52.36
27 PHILIP KIPRONO LANGAT 36.05.00
28 JOSEPH KIMANTHI 27:356.18
29 KENNEDY KITHOKA
30 JOSEPH KIMANTHI 27:38.18
31 PAUL KURIA 27:40.43
32 KENETH KITHUKA 27:41.73
33 JOSPHAT BETT 27:56.14
34 PETER KIRUI 27:58.24
35 SAMUEL CHELANGA 27:59.24
36 CHARLES CHERUIYOT 27:59.91
3000M SC MEN (QWC8:28.00/AAG8:36.00)(FINALS)
# ATHLETE TIME
1 EZEKIEL KEMBOI 8:01.71
2 BIRECH, JAIRUS KIPCHOGE 8:01.83
3 KIPRUTO, CONSESLUS 8:01.20
4 PAUL KOECH8:13.95
5 JONATHAN NDIKU 8:18.38
6 KEMBOI CHEMUTAI 8:16.22
7 YEGO, HILLARY KIPSANG 8:19.87
8 CLEMENT KIMUTAI 8:12.08
9 KIPRUTO, BRIMIN KIPROP 8:18.55
10 BETT, NICHOLAS KIPTANUI 8:23.93
11 JOSHUA KIPLIMO 8:26.30
12 ERASTUS KIRONG 8:27.24
13 WESLEY KIRUI 8:27.00
14 PHILIP YEGO 8:27.99
15 MUTAI, ABEL KIPROP 8:20.38
16 GEOFREY NGENO 8:24.81
17 WILSON MARABA KIPKEMBOI 8:25.99
18 KIPLANGAT KIRUI GILBERT 8:16.86
19 BARNABAS KIPYEGO8:21.93
20KM WALK MEN
# ATHLETE
1 DAVID KIMUTAI
2 SAMUEL KERERI GATHIMBA
3 SYLVANUS WEKESA
4 PETER THEURI
5 ERICK SHIKUKU
6 SIMON WACHIRA
7 JOSEPH GITAU
8 SAMUEL KIBET
9 JOSEPHAT KIMAIYO
10 SIMON MISANGU
11 JOHN LENAMAO
12 JOSEPHAT KIPRONO
TRIPLE JUMP MEN (QWC 16.90/AAG 1600)
# ATHLETE DISTANCE
1 ELIJAH KIMITEI 16.36
2 KIPLAGAT RUTO 15.93
3 ISAAC KIRWA 15.69
4 JOCKTHAN KIYEGON 15.58
5 GEOFFREY LEITICH 15:09
HIGH JUMP MEN (QWC 2.28/AAG 2.12)
# ATHLETE DISTANCE
1 MATHEW SAWE 2.24
2 NICANOR CHERUIYOT 2.10
3 AMOS KIPSAINA 1.95
4 SAMMY KOECH 1.95
5 SAMUEL MACHARIA 1.95
JAVELIN MEN (QWC 82.00/AAG69.00)
# ATHLETE DISTANCE
1 JULIUS YEGO 91.39
2 ALEX KIPROTICH 72.89
3 MICHAEL RONO 68.37
4 SAMMY KESKENY 68.36
5 NELSON YEGON 68.05
6 FRED KOGO 65.25