Team Kenya’s middle and long-distance lead coach, Gideon Chirchir, has tipped the country to reign supreme at the World Championships in Tokyo, which get underway on Saturday.
Kenya is set to unleash a formidable squad across both men’s and women’s middle and long-distance events, carrying the weight of expectation into the Japanese capital.
The men’s 800m charge is spearheaded by Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, alongside Alex Ng’eno, Nicholas Kebenei and Kelvin Loti.
In the women’s category, reigning world champion Mary Moraa leads a strong quartet, flanked by Lilian Odira, Sarah Moraa and Vivian Chebet.
Triple Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon headlines the women’s metric mile team, supported by Nelly Chepchirchir, Susan Ejore and Dorcas Ewoi.
The men’s 1,500m unit is equally strong, with Timothy Cheruiyot — the 2019 champion, Reynold Cheruiyot and Phanuel Koech tasked with delivering medals.
In the steeplechase, Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich lines up alongside Doris Lemngole, Pamela Kosgei and Celestine Biwot.
On the men’s side, World U-20 champion Edmund Serem teams up with Simon Koech and Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot.
The 5,000m promises fireworks as Kipyegon doubles up, joined by Beatrice Chebet, Agnes Ng’etich and Margaret Akidor.
Their male counterparts include Jacob Krop, Mathew Kipsang and Cornelius Kemboi.
Chebet, the 10,000m world record holder, headlines the women’s lineup, teaming with Ng’etich and Janeth Chepng’etich, while the men’s side features Edwin Kurgat, Ishmael Rokitto, and Benson Kiplagat.
Chirchir believes Kenya will once again be the team to beat in Tokyo.
"All the athletes are in good shape and they are ready to go toe-to-toe with the other countries and deliver glory," Chirchir said.
The tactician also predicted improved returns compared to the 2023 edition in Budapest, Hungary, where Kenya bagged 10 medals (all from distance races), ranking fifth globally.
"With the way we have been preparing these athletes, I predict that our performance will be much better than in Budapest," he added.
In Budapest, Kipyegon completed a historic double in the 1,500m and 5,000m, while Moraa sealed gold in the 800m.
Daniel Simiu (10,000m), Wanyonyi (800m), and Beatrice Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase) settled for silver.
Bronze went to Kibiwot (3,000m steeplechase), Chebet (5,000m), Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase) and Krop (5,000m).
Kenya’s dominance on the global stage remains unmatched across the various distance events.
In the 800m, the nation leads the all-time medal standings with 14 medals in the men’s and seven in the women’s races.
In the 1,500m, Kenyan men boast 12 medals, while the women have six.
The men’s steeplechase team has amassed an extraordinary 32 medals, with their female counterparts holding 10.
Kenya also tops the men’s 5,000m medal table with 16.
However, Ethiopia holds the edge in the women’s 5,000m with 17 medals, with Kenya sitting second on 14.
Also in the 10,000m events, Kenya trails in both men’s (18 medals) and women’s (14 medals) tallies behind Ethiopia (19 medals in the men's and 23 in the women's races).
Chirchir emphasised the rigorous training camp in Eldoret, which he described as ideal for sharpening the athletes’ endurance and strength.
"Our training has been good and the athletes are more than ready for the Championships," he said.
The long-distance athletes pitched camp at the Kip Keino high altitude training centre in Eldoret on August 8.
"We chose that centre since it has perfect conditions to train for the middle and long distance races," Chirchir said.
