A blend of experienced and promising individuals will be flying the Kenyan flag in pursuit of medals at the 21st edition of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Africa Senior Championships in Asaba, Nigeria from 1-5 August, 2018.
The 61-member strong Team Kenya, named after three days of enthralling competition at Kasarani Stadium, boasts of the who is who in Kenya’s athletics cycle where Olympians, Commonwealth Games and World Champions are taking their expertise to the continental championships.
Steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto, middle distance star Elijah Manangoi, Javelin throw star Julius Yego and 5,000 metres World Champion Hellen Obiri will headline the Kenyan team.
Former World 400 metres hurdles champion Nicholas Bett, Olympic 800 metres bronze winner Margaret Nyairera and rejuvenated Eunice Sum and Pauline Korikwang will add their experience to the team that will move into residential training from 8 July.
Also in the mix are reigning Africa champions Alice Aprot (10,000m), William Sawe (High Jump), Samuel Gathimba (20km Walk) and Grace Wanjiru (20km Walk) who are going to defend their respective titles at the biannual championships.
Newly minted Celliphine Chespol (3,000m Steeplechase), US-based Emmanuel Korir (400m), 17-years old Samuel Chebulei (5,000m) and 2016 World Junior Steeplechase champion Amos Kirui will add great value to the contingent that will be seeking to better their second placing in the continental challenge in 2016.
During the 20th Africa Senior Champions in Durban in 2016, Kenya bagged a total of 24 medals – 8 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals to rank second in the continent behind host South Africa.
Yego’s back
Meanwhile, Beijing 2015 javelin world champion and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist, Julius Yego, believes he is on the right path to dominate the sport again after clinching his spot on the team.
Yego who holds a lifetime best throw of 92.72 metres, which he set in Beijing in 2015, has struggled for form and consistency in recent months.
“The important thing was for me to shake off my injury concerns and secure the ticket to African championships. It will be my third show and I want to make it remarkable and win gold again for Kenya.”
The 21st CAA African Senior Championships will run from 1-5 August with the top two athletes from each discipline qualifying for the IAAF Continental Cup, which will be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic in 8-9 September, 2018.
Team Kenya – Asaba 2018
20km Walk
Women: Grace Wanjiru, Emily Ngii
Men: Samuel Gathimba, Simon Wachira
10,000m
Women: Pauline Korikwiang, Alice Aprot, Stacy Ndiwa
Men: Vincent Rono, Josphat Bett, Kipsang Temoi
5000m
Women: Helen Obiri, Lilian Kasait, Loice Chemining
Men: Samuel Chebulei, Cyrus Ruto, Edward Zakayo
3,000m S/Chase
Women: Beatrice Chepoech, Celliphine Chespol, Fancy Cherono
Men: Conseslus Kipruto, Amos Kirui, Kennedy Njiru
1,500m
Women: Winny Chebet, Mary Kuria, Judith Kiyeng
Men: Timothy Cheruiyot, Elijah Manangoi, Charles Simotwo
800m
Women: Emily Cherotich, Eunice Sum, Margaret Nyairera
Men: Jonathan Kitilit, Ferguson Rotich, Emmanuel Korir
400m Hurdles
Women: Maureen Jelagat, Jane Chege
Men: Nicholas Bett, Willy Mbevi, Aaron Bett
400m & 4x400m
Women: Maximila Imali, Veronica Mutua, Nevian Michira, Helen Syombua
Men: Alfas Kishoyan , Jared Momanyi, Boniface Mweresa
200m
Women: Eunice Kadogo, Milicent Ndolo
Men: Peter Mwai
100m
Women: Joan Cherono, Eunice Kadogo
Men: Mark Otieo, Peter Mwai
100m Hurdles
Women: Priscila Tabunda
Long Jump
Men: Bethwel Lagat, Isaac Kirwa
Hammer Throw
Women: Rose Rakamba
Men: Dominic Abuda
Decathlon
Men: Gilbert Koech
Javelin Throw
Women: Damacline Nyakeuri
Men: Julius Yego, Alex Kiprotich
High Jump
Men: Mathew Sawe
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