Kenya Masters team gears up for success at 2024 World Masters Athletics Championships
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 12.08.24. | 16:35
Kenya is making its return to the global stage after missing the previous edition in Tampere, Finland
The Athletics Kenya Masters team is brimming with confidence as they prepare to compete in the 25th edition of the 2024 World Masters Athletics Championships, which will take place from Tuesday, August 13 to August 25 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The team, consisting of 26 athletes and 8 officials, arrived safely in Gothenburg on Sunday evening, just two days before the start of the highly anticipated competition.
The event will feature athletes aged 35 and above from 111 countries around the world.
Team captain Eric Sikuku, who won two gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m race-walk events at the 2018 edition in Malaga, Spain, expressed the team's excitement and confidence heading into the championships.
"The team is in good spirits, and all the athletes are focused on the task ahead. The great thing is that these athletes are seasoned legends of the sport, and we are determined to deliver a strong performance for our country. We know the competition will be tough, but we are prepared, thanks to the training we have had back home in Nairobi," Sikuku said after the team arrived in Gothenburg.
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Sikuku, 49, who represented Kenya in the 20km walk-race at the 2010 African Athletics Championships in Nairobi, also won two gold medals in the 3000m and 10km walk-race events at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Poland.
Head coach Elizabeth Olaba acknowledged the challenging nature of the World Masters Championships, noting that they would be on par with elite competitions. She praised her team's readiness for the event in southern Sweden.
"The team has trained hard, and everyone is in excellent shape. I expect a highly competitive championship. Although this event involves non-elite athletes, it still holds great significance as the legends of the sport will be competing. I have high hopes for my athletes, who have shown great enthusiasm during training," Olaba said.
Athletics Kenya Masters Secretary General Rose Tata Muiya expressed her gratitude to the Kenyan government for supporting the team's participation in the championships.
"We are thrilled to be back at this year’s World Masters Championships, ready to reclaim our title after missing the 2022 edition. We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports for funding Athletics Kenya Masters' overseas events, which has allowed us to send such a large team," Tata said.
Kenya is making its return to the global stage after missing the previous edition in Tampere, Finland.
Women's Events
Esther Kavaya Inyangala (W60) - 100m and 200m sprints.
Elizabeth Munyamasye Muthuka (W50) - 200m and 400m races.
Rosaline David (W45) and Joan Chepchirchir Kigen (W45) - 5,000m and 10,000m distance races.
Regina Malai Mulatya (W45) - long jump and triple jump.
Sylvia Chematui Chesepe (W35) and Grace Miroyo Kidake (W35) - 400m and 800m events.
Ruth Mwende Muthuka (W70) - 100m and 200m sprints.
Linda Chelimo Saina (W50) - 100m and 200m sprints.
Rebecca Kerubo Koroso (W40) - hammer throw, weight throw, and pentathlon.
Men's Events
Erick Maugo Sikuku (M50) - 5,000m, 10km, and 20km events.
Tera Langat Kiplangat (M40) - long jump and triple jump.
Charles Ndirangu Njenga (M60) - 800m and 1,500m races.
Joel Kimisik Kirui (M80) - 800m and 1,500m events.
Daniel Kimeli Tanui (M60) - javelin and discus throw.
Francis Kipkoech Bowen (M50) - 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Jesse Njoroge Gichuhi (M41) - 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Robert Kibet Langat (M60) and James Kiplangat Sigei (M60) - 800m and 1,500m events.
Albert Muthee Njoroge (M65) - 800m and 1,500m races.
Simon Lokiru Losiaboi (M50) - 800m and 1,500m events.
Michael Cheren Makan (M40) - 400m and 800m races.
Ibrahim Muyah Makonjo (M40) - 100m and 200m sprints.
Samwel Muriithi Ndereba (M45) - 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Kenneth Mburu Mung’ara (M50) - 10km, 8km, and 5,000m events.
Joshua Kipchumba (M55) - 800m and 1,500m races.
