Athletics Kenya has named the marathon team for Tokyo Olympics. The formidable team comprises four men and four women. Eliud Kipchoge the defending champion and Brigid Kosgey will spearhead the Kenya team.
Both Kipchoge and Brigid are current world record holders in the marathon. Rarely does a country sent two world record holders in both categories. Vincent Kipchumba and Peres Jepchirchir have been included in the team, whereas reserves that were named last year in January have been dropped. Bedan Karoki and Titus Ekiru in men have been left out, so to Valary Ayabei and Sally Chepyego on the women's side.
Kapsabet based Vincent Kipchumba had a remarkable achievement in 2019 winning the Amsterdam marathon in a personal best of 2:05:09 before heading to win in Vienna marathon. In October 2020 at the London marathon, he finished second behind Shura Kitata of Ethiopia
27-year-old Jepchirchir had a winning streak last year in half marathons and a marathon. She won the Prague half marathon in a world record of 1:05:34. After a few weeks, she not only won the world half marathon championship but she improved her world record to 1:05:16.
Then comes the Valencia marathon where she ran a world lead of 2:17:16 a feat that saw her ultimately securing a chance to Olympics.
Asked why they dropped some athletes, Athletics Kenya senior vice president Paul Mwiti exudes confidence that the named athletes are equal to the task owing to their superb performance in the recent past.
World championship bronze medalist Amos Kipruto and Boston marathon winner Lawrence Cherono complete the men's line-up while world champion Ruth Chepngetich will team up with former track superstar Vivian Cheruiyot, to sum up, the women team.
Marathon team.
Men.
- Eliud Kipchoge
- Lawrence Cherono.
- Amos Kipruto.
- Vincent Kipchumba.
Women.
- Brigid Kosgey.
- Peres Jepchirchir.
- Vivian Cheruiyot.
- Ruth Chepngetich.
Dropped.
Men.
- Bedan Karoki
- Titus Ekiru
Women.
- Sally Chepyego.
- Valary Ayabei.
