This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
On a sunny Friday, September 13, 2019, the Nyayo National Stadium played host to the World Athletics Championship trials. The event saw top athletes compete for a spot in the Kenyan team bound for Doha.
Among the standout performers was Faith Chepngetich, the Olympic and World 1,500m champion. Despite having run only one major race that year and already securing a spot in the World Championships as the defending champion, Chepngetich was determined to make a statement.
She scorched the 1,500m field at the bell, leaving her competitors in awe. In a display of sportsmanship, Chepngetich even beckoned Winny Chebet to help her cross the line, securing a first-place finish with a time of 4:03.22. Winny Chebet came in second with a time of 4:03.23, while Sela Jepleting took third place in 4:05.25.
Chepngetich's performance was a testament to her hard work and dedication. In a post-race interview, she stated, 'I just wanted to see how my body will react here in the trials, that's why I had gone fast at the 800m mark. Since coming back from maternity, I'm impressed with my performance and I can say I'm ready for my title defence.'
Winny Chebet, who is a Continental Cup and Africa champion, also made a strong impression. She expressed her confidence in her performance, stating, 'I'm in good shape and this being my second time at the World Championships, I have enough experience to aim at the podium position.'
On the men's side, Timothy Cheruiyot, the World 1500m silver medallist, dominated the race with a commanding performance. He stopped the clock at 3:34.91, leaving Ronald Kwemoi in second place with a time of 3:37.61 and George Manangoi third with a time of 3:37.00.
Cheruiyot's performance was a testament to his hard work and dedication. In a post-race interview, he stated, 'I'm glad I have had a good season which has seen me successfully defend the Diamond League trophy. My focus now shifts to World Championship and I hope to continue with the same shape and win the world title in Doha.'
The trials marked the end of the two-day event, with the top performers securing spots in the Kenyan team bound for Doha. The team will include Faith Chepngetich, Winny Chebet, Sela Jepleting, Judy Chepngetich, Timothy Cheruiyot, Ronald Kwemoi, and George Manangoi.
