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Faith Kipyegon and Ferdinand Omanyala are Kenyans expected to be in action on the opening day of the World Championships.
The highly-anticipated World Athletics Championships starts on Saturday morning, August 19, in Budapest, Hungary with Kenyans ready to reign supreme at the global event.
Men's Walk
The first event of the day will be the men’s 20km race walk where Samuel Gathimba will be up against some of the greatest racewalkers the world has ever witnessed. The event which starts at 9:05am Kenyan time has attracted Sweden’s Perseus Karlström, ranked first in the world, and he will be vying for a seat at the high table.
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14:30 - 18.08.2023
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He goes into the race with an impressive Personal Best time of 1:18.07. Also, in the mix will be Toshikazu Yamanishi, who led a Japanese 1-2 from Koki Ikeda at the World Championships in Oregon last year, and at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Muscat a few months prior. The Japanese duo are formidable competitors.
The same applies to Massimo Stano, who beat Ikeda and Yamanashi to the Olympic title in Tokyo. Having won global titles at both distances, he now fancies his chances at doubling up and is entered for both events in Budapest.
There will be many athletes entered for just the 20km, including China’s Zhang Jun. He heads to Budapest as the world leader over 20km, having won in Taicang in April in 1:17:38. But following that, he placed 12th in Rio Maior and fifth in La Coruna.
The much-improved Gathimba will have his work cut out at the Hungarian capital. He has a PB time of 1:18:23, not far from his closest rivals and he will be looking to make headlines at the event.
4x400m Mixed Relay Heats
The next event in line will be the 4x400m mixed relay where Team Kenya toiled to get the qualifying time and make it to Budapest. The heats of the race will be at 12:05pm and Kenya will be in Heat One against Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and hosts Hungary.
The team comprises Wiseman Were, Wycliffe Kinyamal, Kennedy Musyoki, Mercy Oketch, Maureen Thomas, and Millicent Ndoro. If Team Kenya impresses, they will proceed to the final which is scheduled for 10:49pm on Saturday.
Men's 3,000m Steeplechase Heats
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At 12:35pm three men, Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett, and Simon Koech will take on a tough field for the men’s 3,000m steeplechase heats. Koech will be in Heat One and his greatest challenger will be Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale.
Koech has been in great form that saw him clinch the Monaco Diamond League title whilst qualifying for the World Championships.
Heat two will have Kibiwott who will be up against Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai, defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco, and Ethiopia’s Abrham Sime. Heat three will have Bett taking on world record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia and Morocco’s Mohammed Msaad, posing as his greatest threats.
Women's 1,500m Heats
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21:00 - 18.08.2023
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All eyes will be on triple world record holder Faith Kipyegon in the women’s 1,500m heats at 2:15pm. Kipyegon will be racing in Heat Two and she will definitely have a smooth run, owing to her impeccable form since the start of the season.
Edinah Jebitok will be in Heat One, with one of her greatest challengers being Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan, who won the London Marathon on her debut earlier this year. Youngster Nelly Chepchirchir will be in action in Heat Three with the hope of extending her winning streak since the season started.
The latest addition, 20-year-old Purity Chepkirui will also be in action in Heat Four, competing in the senior category for the first time.
Men's 1,500m Heats
Later in the day, at 8:02pm, the men will take on the tough field for the 1,500m heats. Reigning World Under-20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot, in Heat One, will be up against record-breaking Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway, who will pose his greatest threat.
Injury-free Timothy Cheruiyot will be in Heat Two while Abel Kipsang will be in Heat Four, up against USA’s Yared Nuguse who has been making headlines.
Men's 100m Heats
At 8:45pm, the moment of truth is when Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is expected to compete in the 100m heats. All eyes will be on Omanyala, defending champion Fred Kerley and World 200m champion Noah Lyles. Botswana’s sprinting sensation Letsile Tebogo and former African record holder Akani Simbine will also be in action.
Women's 10,000m Final
At 9:55 pm, the women’s 10,000m final will also start. Irene Kimais, Agnes Ngetich, and Grace Loibach will be in the mix hoping for a 1-2-3 clean podium sweep. However, there will be tough opposition for the Kenyans from the Ethiopian charge.
Defending champion Letesenbet Gidey leads the charge and she will enjoy the company of compatriots Gudaf Tsegay and Ejgayehu Taye. Gidey comes looking for redemption after a disappointing outing at the World Cross-Country Championships earlier this year.
Dutchwoman Hassan will also be in the mix hoping for a good outing. Uganda’s Stella Chesang will also be competing.
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