Conflict anticipated between Kenyan exports and Team Kenya stars in another match
In the world of athletics, Kenya continues to be a breeding ground for exceptional talent, particularly in middle and long-distance events. Many of these athletes have taken their skills to the global stage, representing foreign nations and bringing glory to their adopted countries while upholding Kenya's running legacy.
One such athlete is Faith Cherotich, who will compete against the defending champion, Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo World Championships. Cherotich edged out Yavi in a 3000m steeplechase race at the Oslo Diamond League in Norway in June, indicating a promising performance in September. Cherotich's main target is to perform well at the Tokyo World Championships.
Yavi, on the other hand, has her sights set on defending her world title. The Tokyo World Championships will take place from September 13 - 21, and it promises to be an exciting event for the steeplechase.
Saina, an Olympic veteran who placed fifth for Kenya in the 10,000 at Rio 2016, will also be participating in the Tokyo World Championships. She will represent the United States this time around. Saina has a strong track record at global championships, with a fifth-place finish at Tokyo last year and eighth in the 10,000m at the 2015 World Championships and seventh in the 3000 at the 2016 World Indoor Championships.
Another Kenyan-born athlete representing the United States is Betsy Saina. She set her lifetime best of 2:18:19 to finish fifth at Tokyo last year.
Notable Kenyan-born athletes who have represented foreign nations and achieved significant success at global championships include Saaeed Shaheen (born Stephen Cherono), who won gold medals in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2003 and 2005 World Championships after switching allegiance to Qatar.
Wilson Kipketer, who competed for Denmark, claimed world titles in the 800m in 1995, 1997, and 1999, becoming one of the most celebrated athletes in the event’s history. Lornah Kiplagat, who represented the Netherlands, won the 2007 World Cross Country Championship (held in Mombasa), the 2008 World Half Marathon, and the World Road Running Championships in 2006.
Donavan Brazier Koech, a Kenyan-American, recently qualified to represent the United States after beating Olympic medalists in a major race, earning a spot at the upcoming World Championships.
Other Kenyan-born athletes currently representing other countries and continuing the legacy include Norah Jeruto, who won the world title at the 2022 Eugene World Championships in the women's 3000m steeplechase, and Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, who bagged bronze in the marathon at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.
Peres Jepchirchir will lead the Kenyan women's marathon team in the Tokyo World Championships.
Saina recently won two straight USATF 25K Championships in 2023-24.
This movement of Kenyan-born athletes representing foreign nations reflects Kenya’s deep talent pool and the global spread of its runners. These athletes often switch allegiance due to intense competition in Kenya and opportunities abroad, with many achieving medals at World Championships and Olympics for their adopted nations. This trend underscores Kenya’s rich talent pool and the global reach of its runners.
Faith Cherotich will compete in the epaper discussing the Tokyo World Championships, aiming to perform well against her rival Winfred Yavi. Similarly, Saina, who represented Kenya in the 10,000m at Rio 2016, will now participate in the same event under the United States flag, with a track record of impressive performances at global championships.
