Stanley Waithaka during a past race/HANDOUTWorld 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka has urged Team Kenya to seize the opportunity and end a 24-year gold medal drought at the World Championships, which start on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.
With Uganda’s top distance stars Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo absent, Waithaka believes Kenya is well-positioned to reclaim dominance in the 10,000m final, scheduled for Sunday at the Tokyo Stadium.
“I am here as a reserve, and I have taken it very positively,” said Waithaka. “I was brought in to hold a brief for Kurgat, who was having visa issues, but they were resolved. Now that he is here, I can only support him and the team and wish them well.”
Kenya will be represented by Edwin Kurgat, Ismail Kirui and Benson Kiplangat — all former world U20 cross country champions. Waithaka believes they have the talent to make history.
“Just being in camp with the team means a lot to me, even if I’m not competing. Tokyo is my second home and I feel happy encouraging my teammates from the sidelines,” he added.
With Cheptegei and Kiplimo absent, the race will likely be a showdown between Kenya and Ethiopia, giving the Kenyan trio a real chance at gold. Kenya last won the 10,000m at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton through Charles Kamathi.
Waithaka is confident in the squad’s potential, given their strong finishing speed and relative unpredictability.
“They’ve all been running in the 5,000m and have the pace to counter aggression. It will be hard to read their strategy,” he said. “All three have a fantastic kick and as long as they stay with the leaders until 600m to go, they can bring home the gold.”
He sees this championship as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Depending on how we perform — especially with most of the athletes making their debut in the event — this will help us plan better for the future,” he noted.
Waithaka made his World Championships debut in 2022 in Eugene, winning silver in 27:27.90 behind Cheptegei (27:27.43). He believes self-belief and confidence will be key.
“It’s not going to be easy, but whoever exercises confidence will prevail,” he said.
Meanwhile, Japan-based Teresia Gateri will not feature in the women’s 1500m following the arrival of Dorcas Ewoi. Gateri was on standby in case Ewoi didn’t make it. Ewoi joins defending champion Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, and Susan Ejore in the event.
