Athletics Kenya (AK) has rescheduled the national trials for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, bringing the showdown forward to July 22 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
The trials were set for August 1–2, but the federation said the stadium will be off-limits on those dates.
“AK wishes to inform athletes and stakeholders in the athletics fraternity that the trials for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 will now be held on July 22 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex,” the statement read.
“This adjustment has been necessitated by the unavailability of the stadium on the initially scheduled dates of August 1-2. We urge all the participants to take note of the change and adjust their preparations accordingly.”
“Participation at the trials will be by invitation only.”
The selection criteria and final list of invited athletes will be released in due course.
Bib numbers will be issued on July 21 at the venue. Meanwhile, the women’s 5,000m and men’s 10,000m trials will take place today (Saturday) at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.
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Kenya will look to field a strong squad in Tokyo as they try to beat the 10 medals (three gold, three silver and four bronze) from Budapest 2023.
The gold medallists were Mary Moraa (800m) and Faith Kipyegon (1,500m and 5,000m).
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m), Daniel Ebenyo (10,000m) and Beatrice Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase) clinched silver medals, while Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase), Beatrice Chebet (5,000m), Abraham Kibiwot (3,000m steeplechase) and Jacob Krop (5,000m) were the bronze medallists.
This will be the third time the World Championships are staged in Japan.
In Osaka in 2007, Kenya ranked second with 13 medals (five gold, three silver and five bronze) behind the US (26 medals).
In 1991, Kenya placed fourth with eight medals (four gold, three silver, one bronze) behind the US (26 medals), Soviet Union (29 medals) and Germany (17 medals).
