Budapest 23: Kipsang and Cheruiyot on medal watch as Moraa, Chepkoech begin hunt

The 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary are gathering pace every single day, and even as the country is still basking in the glory of claiming its first gold medal won at the close of Day Four, more action awaits a bulk of Kenyan athletes, where one final tonight might add to the medal haul, not mentioning that Faith Kipyegon will be returning to the track just hours removed from her triple world crown.

Women’s 800m.

Unlike the past two days, track action on Wednesday will begin early, with the morning session paving way for three Kenyans in the heats of the women’s two lap distance.

It is without a doubt that all eyes will be on world leader Mary Moraa as she seeks to claim her first world title after enjoying an unbeaten season so far in the event.

Her appearance in Heat 2 will come after Kenya’s second place finisher at the national trials - Vivian Chebet- in Heat 1, with Africa Games silver medalist Naomi Korir coming in Heat 3, where the three fastest runners in each heat will book a place into Friday’s set of semifinals.

Also proceeding will be the three fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

Expect an easy stroll here. Races start at 1105 EAT.

Women’s 5000m Heats.

It's fine to be out there celebrating your third world championship especially in a year where you have broken three world records. That will not be the case for the undoubted champion Faith Kipyegon as after delivering a 3:54.87 performance to win Tuesday’s 1500m final, she will be back to the National Athletics Centre to take on another event - the 5000m (one she already holds a world record in - 14:05.20 in Paris).

The two time Olympic champion will be in Heat 2 alongside compatriot Lilian Kasait, with the duo of Commonwealth Games champion Beatrice Chebet and Margaret Chelimo featuring in Heat 1, where the first eight will be in Saturday’s final.

Race starts at 2002 EAT.

Budapest 23: Easy pickings for Kipyegon, Chepchirchir as Cheruiyot misses out on 1500m final

Women’s 3000m.

Did I hear ‘Battle of the Chepkoechs’?

Oh yeah. That’s the tag this event will be running under, with the pair of world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and Commonwealth champion Jackline Chepkoech expected to go through Wednesday’s heats and into Sunday’s final.

Beatrice will be in Heat 1, with a diminutive, young but dangerous Faith Cherotich appearing in Heat 2 of her debut senior world championships event.

Jackline will be in the last heat that will see the first five women book a place in what will be a blockbuster final.

The race starts at 2045 EAT.

Men’s 1500m.

All eyes will be on the 2215 EAT final that could serve a surprise, as it has done in the past, with two Kenyan youngsters - Abel Kipsang (a world indoor bronze medalist) and World U20 champion Reynold Kipkorir - daring the race favorite Jakob Ingebrightsen in the men’s 1500 m final.

It is clear that the Norwegian wants this year’s championship more than ever, having succumbed last year to Jake Wightman - who is missing due to injury - and with shuttering European record times this year, his quest seems unstoppable.

The two Kenyans have however had decent seasons at best this season, and both seemed to breeze in the same finals that looked a hard beating on 2019 World champion Timothy Cheruiyot.

An opponent to look at here would be fast-rising American Yared Nuguse - who holds the second fastest time this year - and European indoor silver medalist Neil Gourley.

A medal here will be satisfying.