Africa-Press – Kenya. This Thursday, the nation’s top athletes will descend on the Ulinzi Sports Complex for the Athletics Kenya national trials, each locked in a high-stakes chase for a ticket to the World Relays and African Championships.
The World Athletics Relays are slated for May 2–3 in Gaborone, while the African Senior Athletics Championships are due May 12–17 in Accra, Ghana. Athletics Kenya opted for a combined trial, handing fans a three-day athletics spectacle packed with raw speed, fierce duels and edge-of-the-seat drama at the Ulinzi Complex.
Among the invited cast, the men’s shot putters will be out to quite literally throw their weight around as they chase qualification marks for the African Championships.
Three-time national champion Peter Mwangi revealed the intensity behind the scenes, noting the field athletes’ ambitions to hit the required standard.
“The standard that has been set for the men’s shot put is 16.80m. We have been pushing ourselves in training to ensure we meet that mark during the trials,” Mwangi said.
“I am hoping to qualify for my first African Championships.” The 42-year-old, who has a personal best of 16.34m, believes he is within striking distance.
“My personal best is close to the entry mark, so I just have to ensure I throw further at the trials,” he said.
On the track, the sprint lanes promise fireworks with Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, headlining the men’s 100m, squaring off against the fastest Kenyan this season, Brown Muthara, in what shapes up as a blockbuster dash.
National champion Meshack Babu, Elkana Sabila and rising talents Dennis Mwai and Clinton Aluvi are also in contention. In the women’s 100m, seasoned campaigner Millicent Ndoro leads the charge against former national champion Eunice Kadogo and reigning titleholder Esther Mbagari.
Over the barriers, Gladys Ngure doubles up as the athlete to watch in both the 100m and 400m hurdles, bringing form and rhythm into the mix. The 2023 world 800m champion, Mary Moraa, goes back to the 400m, while national champion George Mutinda is the man to watch.
In the two-lap arena, reigning world 800m champion Lilian Odira takes centre stage in a mouthwatering clash that also features Mary Moraa and Sarah Moraa.
The 2025 Diamond League finals winner, Nelly Chepchirchir, and world bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot lead the cast in the 1500 m. The 2023 African 10,000m champion, Janeth Chepng’etich and 2023 World U20 cross country champion Ishmael Rokitto headline the 25-lap race.
Julius Yego, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist and five-time African champion, leads the battle for tickets in men’s javelin, while the women’s competition has the 2023 African U20 silver medallist and national record holder Irene Jepkemboi.
Yego’s accolades stretch from Porto-Novo 2012 (76.68m), Marrakech 2014 (84.72m), Asaba 2018 (77.34m), Port Louis 2022 (79.62m) to Douala 2024 (80.24m). However, Athletics Kenya confirmed that race walkers will not be selected at Ulinzi, with their slots to be determined at the global stage in Brazil.
“Athletes for race walking will be selected during the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships to be held on April 12, in Brazil,” the statement read.
Athletes have also been reminded to collect their bib numbers in person at the Ulinzi Complex on Wednesday. “All invited athletes will be required to collect their running/bib numbers on Wednesday, starting from 9 am to 6 pm at the event venue,” AK said.
“Please note that registration and issuance of running/bib numbers will not be conducted on the event days.”
