Africa-Press – Kenya. Athletics Kenya has set the wheels in motion early as it plots a strong assault on the global stage, confirming that it will hold its trials for the 2026 World Indoor Championships on January 30–31 as it seeks to assemble a formidable squad capable of competing with the world’s best.
The 2026 World Indoor Championships are scheduled for March 20–22 at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Torun in Torun, Poland. The early trials underline are aimed at ensuring the federation gives its athletes are adequately prepared for the intensity and precision demanded by the indoor circuit.
“The World Athletics Indoor Championships will take place from 20th to 22nd March 2026 in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland,” read a statement from Athletics Kenya.
“World Athletics officially released the qualification system and entry standards for the competition, and we encourage all athletes to familiarize themselves with these requirements as they prepare for the event,” it added.
World Athletics has already set out the qualifying benchmarks, with sprinters in the 60m required to clock 7.20 seconds for women and 6.59 seconds for men to be eligible for selection.
Middle-distance and long-distance runners will also face demanding standards, with the 400m set at 51.75 for women and 45.80 for men, the 800m at 2:00.90 for women and 1:45.80 for men, and the 1,500m at 4:06.00 for women and 3:36.00 for men.
The 3,000m entry marks stand at 8:35.00 for women and 7:33.00 for men, while the 60m hurdles will require times of 8.02 for women and 7.65 for men. For Field, the high jump standards are set at 1.96m for women and 2.30m for men, while pole vaulters must clear 4.70m for women and 5.90m for men.
Long jump qualifiers will need distances of 6.75m for women and 8.17m for men, with the triple jump set at 14.15m for women and 16.90m for men. Shot putters will be expected to meet marks of 18.90m for women and 21.20m for men.
AK reiterated that its national trials will be held at the end of January, offering athletes a clear pathway to book their tickets. “Athletics Kenya will consequently hold trials for the World Indoor Championships on 30th and 31st January 2026 in Nairobi to select a team that will represent the country at the world event,” the federation confirmed.
Athletes have three routes to qualify for the global show including; By achieving the entry standard within the qualification period in accordance with the conditions detailed below.
The other routes are through the World Indoor Tour Wild Card or by virtue of their position in the Top Performances list from November 1, 2025. ”In addition, all qualifying performances must be recorded within the official qualification window, which runs from November 1, 2025 to March 8, 2026.
“Performances must be achieved in a competition conducted according to World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules, or authorised by World Athletics, its Area Associations or its National Member Federations and published on the World Athletics Global Calendar,” the statement added.
