BY MUIGAI KIGURU
World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will lead a star-studded list of 80 athletes in Friday’s national trials ahead of the second edition of IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas on May 24 and 25.
Asbel, who was in the Kenyan team which set a new world record of14:22.22 in Bahamas last year, will be seeking a slot in the men’s medley relay 800m stretch when he battles in Team ‘A’ alongside Abednego Chesebe (1,200m), Moses Kertich (400m) and Commonwealth 1,500m silver medallist Ronald Kwemoi.
Team ‘B’ has Timothy Cheruiyot (1,200m), Nicholas Bett (400m), Bernard Kipyegon (800m) and Benard Katui (1,600m).
Sylvia Chesebe, who was among the Kenya quartet who bagged silver in the 4x800m race at the first world relays in an African record time of 8:04.28, headlines the women’s trialists in the medley relays.
She will be joined in Team ‘A’ by Selah Jepleting (1200m), 2012 London Olympics semifinalist Joy Sakari (400m) and Virginia Nyambura (1,600m).
Team ‘B’ comprises of Caroline Chepkemoi (1,200m), Vivian Chelangat (400m), Penina Wangari (800m) and Beatrice Chepkoech (1,600m).
World 800m Junior champion Alfred Kipketer, who also helped Kenya to a gold medal in Bahamas last year, headlines the 4x800m trials alongside Olympic 800m bronze medallist Timothy Kitum in Team ‘A’.
They will battle it with Nicholas Kiplangat and Jeremiah Mutai. Ferguson Rotich, who was also in the 4x800m gold medal winning team in Nassau last year headlines Team ‘B’ alongside former world junior silver medallist Jackson Kivuva, Jonathan Kitilit and Cornelius Kiplangat.
The women’s candidates in the 800m are Annet Mwanzi, Sheila Chesang, Eglay Nalianya and Sylvia Cherop in Team ‘A’ and Commonwealth 3,000m steeplechase champion Purity Cherotich, Jacinta Wamwea, Miriam Chepkirui and Hilda Jepkemoi.
Alex Sampao, whose team was seventh in the 4 × 400m ( Final B ) in Bahamas is among the eight men who will be seeking a slot in the 4x400m alongside Alfas Kishoyan, Boniface Mwereza and Raymond Kibet.
Jacinta Shikanda, Fransisca Koki, Emily Cherotich, Maureen Jelagat and Florence Wasike are in the women’s 400m list. There will also be trials for the 100m and 200m races, both men and women.
Kenya won the 4x800m (men), 4×1,500m (men-world record) and 4×1,500m (women-world record) and were second in the women’s 4x800m to finish third with 35 points, behind Jamaica (41) and USA (60).
Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya will hold a training camp for the invited athletes at the Nyayo Stadium, today and tomorrow. The training camp is aimed at sharpening the athlete’s technical skills relating to relays in preparation for the national trials.
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke