Athletics Kenya (AK) youth development chairman Barnaba Korir has tipped the senior men’s squad to reclaim Kenya’s dominance at next year’s World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida.
The last time Kenya won the senior men’s title was in 2017 courtesy of Geoffrey Kamworor.
Since then, Uganda has reigned supreme in the last three editions with Joshua Cheptegei claiming the 2019 and 2023 titles and Jacob Kiplimo claiming last year’s crown in Belgrade Serbia.
Korir believes the selected group has what it takes to fly Kenya’s flag high in Florida.
“In Belgrade we won the senior women’s title but missed out on the men’s senior crown,” he noted.
“Apart from Daniel Ebenyo and Ishmael Kirui, who recently transitioned to the senior ranks, the men’s team is very young. I don’t want to put too much pressure on them. We wish them the best, and I am sure they will do very well,” he added.
How Kenya performed in 2024 World Cross Country Championships
In Belgrade, Kenya struck gold in the women’s senior 10km through Beatrice Chebet, the men’s U20 race via Samuel Kibathi, and the mixed relay.
Korir also tipped the women’s team and the mixed relay to successfully defend their titles.
“For the women’s race, I believe we are well covered, and in the mixed relay we have Reynold Cheruiyot and Daniel Munguti, who bring valuable experience,” he said.
Further, Korir highlighted that Kenya would be gunning to defend the overall title won in Belgrade last year.
“Kenya will be going out to defend the title we won in Belgrade last year. I am confident this young group of athletes will deliver good results,” Korir said.
At the previous edition of the championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Kenya topped the medal table after hauling in an impressive 11 medals (six gold, two silver and three bronze).
Ethiopia finished second with 10 medals, while Uganda placed third with five.
With chilly conditions expected in the United States in January, Korir insisted that the federation has left nothing to chance in preparing the athletes.
“We are looking forward to the championship. I know it will be a little cold in the US at that time, but we have prepared the athletes for those conditions,” he said.
“The morning and evening conditions here in Kigari are almost similar to what they will experience in the US.”
