Koitatoi Kidali’s coach Sylvester Nakeel reckons that the young 800m sensation’s move to the USA will significantly enhance his chances at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The University of Oregon, known for its elite track and field program, recently announced the signing of Kidali to their team.
Oregon’s track and field team announced on social media, sharing their excitement: "From Kenya to Eugene. We are thrilled to welcome Koitatoi Kidali, who brings personal bests of 47.98 seconds in the 400m, 1:42.66 in the 800m and 3:43.05 in the 1,500m."
The Oregon Ducks, as they are famously known, compete at the highest level in the National Collegiate Athletics Association(NCAA) with a roster that boasts some of the world’s top athletes, including Olympic 1,500m champion Cole Hocker, Australia’s Olympic 1,500m silver medalist Jessica Hull and Rio 2016 Olympic marathon bronze medalist Galen Rupp.
Kidali will need to complete two semesters before he can turn professional and represent the university in national competitions.
Nakeel is confident the move will be pivotal for the 21-year-old’s career, particularly with the 2025 World Championships on the horizon.
“Kidali is joining the University of Oregon on a scholarship, which will allow him to compete in their track and field meets. The U.S. offers state-of-the-art facilities that will be instrumental in his training—far beyond what we have here in Kenya,” Nakeel said.
“This opportunity comes at the perfect time, with the World Championships next year, and I know he’s eager to make his mark,” he added.
The entry standard for the World Championships is 1:44.50 for the men’s 800m event with the qualification period running from August 1, 2024, to August 24, 2025. Kidali, thrilled with the scholarship, highlighted its importance in advancing his career.
“This is a life-changing opportunity. Not only will it allow me to sharpen my skills but will also help me focus on my education,” he said.
Reflecting on Kidali’s performance at the Olympics, where he failed to make the finals, Nakeel expressed pride in his athlete's efforts.
“His performance in Paris was not bad. The time he posted was quite commendable. I am proud of what he was able to do,” Nakeel said.
In Paris, Kidali clocked 1:45.84 for fifth place in Round One meaning he missed out on the three automatic slots to the semis, forcing him to participate in the repechage.
During the repechage rounds, he was eliminated after placing sixth with a time of 1:46.37.
Despite not making the finals, Nakeel is confident the 21-year-old now has the experience needed to excel on the world stage.
“Kidali was taking part in his first Olympic Games. He did not have the experience of competing at the big championships which he now has,” he noted. Kidali is slated to leave for the US in late October or early November.
