Athletes express confidence ahead of Tokyo Worlds

From left: Beatrice Chebet , Agnes Ngetich and Janeth Chepngetich celebrate winning 10, 000m race at Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi on July 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Cheers, songs and dance filled the air at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Tuesday as Kenya selected its team for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. The pomp and colour was punctuated with congratulatory messages by top sports officials. Athletics stars who did not compete in the adrenaline-packed races for tickets to Tokyo 2025 expressed hopes that Kenya would shine in this year's edition of the World Championships. Three-time world champion Faith Kipyegon promised the country that "the medals will come home." Kipyegon said her prayer was to train healthily and remain injury-free in the run-up to the global showpiece. "I am so happy to see the next generation of 1500m athletes such as Nelly Chepchirchir, especially now that I am transitioning to 5000m. They will be taking the baton because this has been our event for a long time and I don't want to see us losing the 1500m," Faith Kipyegon said during the event. World silver medallist and Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi was confident of medals in his specialty - 800m. Wanyonyi was expected to compete but he was still recovering from a bruising London Diamond League contest where the star set a meeting record. "I will have to work hard in training because we only have a month to prepare. For me, I am confident that if I reach the final I will bring home a medal," Wanyonyi, who followed the national trials at Ulinzi Sports Complex said. He said he would work closely with his coach to improve on a number of tactics in preparation for the World Championships. Kelvin Kimtai Loti, Wyclife Kinyamal and Nicholas Kiplangat Kebenei lead pack in the 800m men finals during the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025 at The Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on July 22, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Dancers entertained athletics fans and participants of the national trials graced by dignitaries among them Sports Cabinet Secret Salim Mvurya and the country's legends including former multiple world cross country champion Paul Tergat (the immediate National Olympic Committee of Kenya President), three-time Boston Marathon winner Ibrahim Hussein, multiple world half marathon champion Tegla Loroupe and marathon star Abel Kirui just to name a few. Mvurya and Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei said they were confident that Kenya will shine in Tokyo. The CS said his Ministry was satisfied with the national trials. "I want to announce that we have Team Kenya ready for Tokyo. They represent the 50 million of us and will be carrying the Kenyan flag. We will give you all the necessary support to represent the country well," Mvurya told the team. He went on to say: "The athletes have demonstrated patriotism as they compete across the world. This is a year of medal harvest. The Under-18/20 has done the country proud and more will be coming." Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said a number of stadiums in Eldoret and surrounding areas were being upgraded as the government targets to prepare adequate training grounds. "Kenya will remain the powerhouse of athletics. Tokyo, here we come and we expect more medals," Mwangi said. Dan Wanyama, the chairman of the sports committee in the National Assembly congratulated the team and asked the Ministry of Sports to fully support the squad. Tuwei said the selection process of the team was transparent. "I wish the team all the best. We hope they will bring good results."

Athletes express confidence ahead of Tokyo Worlds

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