Athletics Kenya has unveiled a 58-member squad for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, a team blending global icons, emerging stars, and fresh talent from across the country. The announcement followed national trials at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex on July 22, where athletes battled for coveted tickets to the biggest track and field event of the year.
The spotlight inevitably falls on Faith Kipyegon, Kenya’s queen of middle distance running. Fresh from smashing her own 1,500 m world record in July with a 3:48.68 run at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, she heads to Tokyo in peak form. Kipyegon is tipped to chase a rare double in the 1,500 m and 5,000 m.
By her side in the women’s long-distance races will be Beatrice Chebet, who etched her name in history earlier this year as the first woman to dip under 14 minutes in the 5,000 m. Chebet, now also eyeing the 10,000 m, is expected to be a serious medal contender in both events.
In the two-lap race(800 m), Mary Moraa remains Kenya’s anchor. The Commonwealth and world champion has been consistent on the Diamond League circuit, and Tokyo could be her chance to cement her dominance. She leads a quartet including Lilian Odira, Vivian Chebet Kiprotich, and rising star Sarah Moraa, whose 1:58.96 personal best this year announced her arrival on the senior stage.
On the men’s side, the 800 m is stacked with Kelvin Kimtai Loti, who clocked 1:43.61 at the national championships alongside Emmanuel Wanyonyi and other hopefuls.
Kenya’s sprint revolution continues with Ferdinand Omanyala leading the men’s 100 m squad. Omanyala has carried the nation’s hopes in short distances since his breakthrough seasons, and he will be joined in Tokyo by younger sprinters and members of the 4×100 m relay team.
In the 400 m, George Mutinda and Zablon Ekwam carry Kenya’s hopes. Both are in sharp form, with Mutinda having impressed at the trials.
The 3,000 m steeplechase is presented with Faith Cherotich, Doris Lemongole, and Pamela Kosgei.
For the men, the experienced squad hopes to reclaim the gold medal that has occasionally slipped away to rivals like Morocco and Ethiopia.
In the men’s 10,000 m, the trio of Edwin Kurgat, Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui, and Benson Kiplangat will fly the flag.Their main rivals remain Ethiopia’s depth-heavy lineup, promising another chapter in the long-running Kenya–Ethiopia rivalry.
On the roads, the marathon squad features both experienced and rising names. With Eliud Kipchoge opting out of Tokyo, all eyes will be on younger runners to maintain Kenya’s legacy in the event.
Kenya’s relay teams are also in focus, particularly the men’s and women’s 4×400 m squads, which have shown promise in recent outings.
In field events, Julius Yego, the 2015 world javelin champion, remains a standout.
The 58-member team includes 38 men and 20 women, carefully selected with the top two finishers at trials earning automatic slots, and additional athletes chosen by a technical panel.
Still, Kenya must contend with the growing competitiveness of global athletics, particularly in events it once dominated unchallenged. In the sprints and field events, breaking through remains a tall order. Doubling up in multiple events, as seen with Kipyegon and Chebet, also raises questions about fatigue and recovery.