Faith Kipyegon wins the 1500m at Kenya's Olympic Trials (© Michelle Katami)
Multiple world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and world silver medallist Emmanual Wanyonyi underlined their medal-winning potential with stunning victories at the Kenyan Olympic Trials, which concluded in Nairobi on Saturday (15) after two days of action.
The curtains opened with the women’s 5000m, which featured a loaded field of global medallists. A huge pack were in contention up to 3000m, after which Kipyegon made a move and she was followed by two-time world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet and 2019 world silver medallist Margaret Chelimo.
Chelimo soon dropped back, leaving world record-holders Kipyegon and Chebet to battle for victory. At the bell, two-time Olympic gold medallist Kipyegon began to create a gap and went on to win in 14:46.28. Chebet secured the other automatic spot at 14:52.55, while Chelimo was further back in third in 14:59.39.
If there were any more doubts about her readiness to go for a third successive gold medal in Paris, Kipyegon laid them to rest on the second day of the trials after her thrilling gun-to-tape victory in the 1500m, winning in 3:53.99.
Nelly Jepchirchir, who had hung behind Kipyegon for the first three laps, finished second in 3:58.46 ahead of Susan Ejore in 4:00.22.
“I wanted to run 3:55 but was surprised with the 3:53,” said Kipyegon. “I am excited to be back on track. I thank God I have been able to make the team for both the 5000m and the 1500m events. I’ll go and focus now on speed and endurance ahead of Paris.”
A trip at the end of his 800m heat meant that Wanyonyi almost had to wave goodbye to his Olympic dreams, but the teenager lodged an appeal and was advanced to the final.
Once there, he didn’t leave anything to chance as he led from the start and stretched the field to win in 1:41.70, moving him to third on the world all-time list behind David Rudisha and Wilson Kipketer.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi wins the 800m at Kenya's Olympic Trials (© Michelle Katami)
After crossing the line, he then ran back across the finish as though to confirm the time, then removed his vest and lay on his back against the tartan track in celebration. The cheering fans in the stadium had already composed a song in honour of Wanyonyi, and they took their drums and followed him around, singing and dancing his name.
“We have never seen such a time run on Kenyan soil,” world record-holder Rudisha said after the race. “We have never lost an Olympic gold in the men’s 800m since 2008, and seeing Wanyonyi run today, I think we will have another gold medal.”
Wyclife Kinyamal was second in 1:42.50, ahead of Koitatoi Kidali in 1:42.66. Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir faded in his heat and didn’t make the final.
Ferdinand Omanyala won the 100m in a world-leading 9.79, creating huge excitement in the stadium. “This year, I hope to run 9.8s in the races that matter,” he said.
Reynold Cheruiyot, the 2022 world U20 champion, won the men’s 1500m, one of the most competitive and tactical finals of the two-day competition. The race started relatively slow and turned into a furious last-lap battle, with Cheruiyot using his strong finishing kick to win in 3:35.63. Daniel Munguti was second in 3:35.80, while 2019 world champion and Olympic silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot was third in 3:35.90.
World champion Mary Moraa took control of the women’s 800m. In the final 150 metres, it appeared as though she eased up slightly to allow her younger sister Sarah Moraa to overtake her, but Lilian Odira came through on the home stretch to win in 1:59.27 as Mary Moraa finished second (1:59.35) and Sarah Moraa third (1:59.39), just 0.09 shy of the Olympic qualifying time.
In the women’s steeplechase, Faith Cherotich and Beatrice Chepkoech ran most of the race together, ensuring they both secured their places on the Olympic team. Cherotich eventually won in 9:22.28 with Chepkoech taking second in 9:22.76. Jackline Chepkoech lost contact with the two runners in the latter stages but held on to finish third in 9:34.86.
Elsewhere, Ronald Kwemoi won the men’s 5000m in 13:27.20 ahead of Jacob Krop (13:27.54) and Edwin Kurgat (13:27.75). 2021 world U20 champion Amos Serem won the men’s steeplechase in 8:20.55 ahead of Simon Koech (8:20.99) and world bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot (8:23.41).
Justin Lagat for World Athletics
