A look at Kenya’s Team to Nanjing 2025

The only advantage of a not-so-great performance is that it has a better chance of getting better next time.

Beatrice Chepkoech was the only medalist, with a bronze medal in the women’s 3000m at the last World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.  It should be a low bar for Kenya to jump over.

Kenya is known as an athletics powerhouse and all eyes will be on the Kenyan team at the Nanjing 2025 World Indoor Championships beginning on 21st and ending on 23rd March in China.

The team is well gender-balanced, with 5 men and 5 women.

After maintaining an impressive winning streak in the men’s Olympic 800m event, Kenya seems to be focusing more on the distance that they are excelling more and majority of the team to Nanjing are in the mens 800m. Belgrade 2022 silver medallist Noah Kibet will be in the 800m alongside teammates, African champion Alex Ngeno Kipngetich and Collins Kipruto.  The 800m race will offer some tough competition from the likes of Josh Hoey who recently ran an area record of 1:43.24 at the US Indoor Championships. But, nevertheless, Kenya has more chances of medals here.

Cornelius Kemboi has never competed indoors before, but the African Games bronze medalist could surprise everyone in the men’s 3000m event.

Festus Lagat, who is based mostly in the USA will be competing in the 1500m event.  He has a seasonal and personal best time of 3:37.32 in the distance.

On the women’s side, African silver medalist, Lilian Odira will be competing alongside Vivian Chebet Kiprotich who was fourth at the Glasgow Indoor championships last year.

Susan Ejore who was 6th at the Olympic final in Paris will be in the 1500m race. She will be in the company of Dorcus Ewoi, who has been doing most of her racing in the US.

There will be a lone Kenyan in the 3000m event. Purity Kajuju Gitonga was third at the Czech Indoor Gala, Ostrava last month.

Men:

Cornelius KEMBOI 3000 MetresNoah KIBET 800 MetresAlex Ngeno KIPNGETICH 800 MetresCollins KIPRUTO 800 MetresFestus LAGAT 1500 Metres

Women:

Susan Lokayo EJORE 1500 MetresDorcus EWOI 1500 MetresPurity Kajuju GITONGA 3000 MetresVivian Chebet KIPROTICH 800 MetresLilian ODIRA 800 Metres

Since 2013, Justin Lagat has written for RunBlogRun. His weekly column is called A view from Kenya. Justin writes about the world of Kenyan athletics on a weekly basis and during championships, provides us additional insights into the sport.

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