Kenya’s World Cross Country bid toughens as three-peat-chasing Kiplimo joins mix
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 03.01.26. | 16:27
The 25-year-old, who won the U20 title on home soil in 2017, clinched the last two senior crowns in Bathurst and Belgrade
Kenya’s wait for a first senior men’s title in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships since 2017 will be put under severe challenge by rivals Uganda, who have named two-time defending champion Jacob Kiplimo for this year’s edition in Tallahassee on 10 January.
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Kiplimo, a cross country champion in Bathurst (2023) and Belgrade (2024), will be gunning for a senior hat-trick at the Apalachee Regional Park, having been elected as team captain for the country’s squad of 27.
Two-time defending champion Jacob Kiplimo will lead Uganda’s team at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee on January 10. (File photo: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/ATlPkLgfXP
— CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) January 2, 2026
The 25-year-old will be joined in the men’s senior team by Dan Kibet, World U20 Championships gold medalist Keneth Kiprop, Deogracious Musobo, Emmanuel Kibet, and Dolphine Chelimo.
Uganda have won the men’s senior individual title for the last three editions, their run dating back to 2019, when Joshua Cheptegei struck gold at the Aarhus Championships in Denmark.
Kenya, whose last win was through Geoffrey Kamworor in 2017, will lean their hopes on the experience of captain Daniel Simiu and 2023 World U20 champion Ismael Kipkirui Rokitto, to wrestle back the brown.
Speaking to Nation Sport on Saturday, 3 January, Simiu, who won the national trials last year, exuded confidence in Kenya bagging the men’s senior title saying: “We shall do our best to tackle the stiff competition expected on that day.
Personally I am privileged to be in Team Kenya, and I want to tell my fans I am going for something special.”
The Kenyan team is expected to jet out of the country on Monday, 5 January, where the challenge with their East African rivals will surely be on.
Ugandan team for Tallahassee
Senior women: Sarah Chelangat, Rebecca Chelangat, Kereen Chemusto, Martha Chemutai, Joy Cheptoyek, Rispa Cherop
Senior men: Dolphine Chelimo, Dan Kibet, Emmanuel Kibet, Jacob Kiplimo, Keneth Kiprop, Deogracius Musobo
U20 women: Peace Chebet, Felister Chekwemoi, Nancy Chepkwurui, Charity Cherop, Bentalin Yeko
U20 men: Solomon Andiema, Daniel Kiprotich Chelogoi, Abraham Cherotich, Dan Kipyeko, Jeremiah Kwemoi
Mixed relay: Brenda Chekwemoi, Sylvia Chelangat, Silas Chemutai, Daniel Comboni
