Trio ditches World University Games for AK trials
.jpg)
.png)
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 12.07.25. | 19:19
Up against loaded field in the invite-only trials, the three are hoping to make Team Kenya to Tokyo
With a chance to experience the epitome of athletics competition in Tokyo as part of Team Kenya at this year’s World Championships set for September, three athletes have forfeited their chances to compete at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games set for Germany.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more use
The three, led by sprinter George Mutinda, 5000m runner Gladys Chepkoech Kosgei, and 800m runner Judy Chepnegtich, have instead elected to compete in the Athletics Kenya trials scheduled for 22 July at Ulinzi Sports Complex instead of the varsity showpiece slated for Wednesday, 16 to Monday, 28 the same month.
Initially, the national trails for the World Athletics championship, slated for Saturday, 13 to Sunday, 21 September, were set to be held on Friday,1 and Saturday, 2 August, but the unavailability of the facility forced the federation to make the change.
Team Kenya will be looking to improve on their 2023 results in Budapest, where the country placed fifth overall with three gold, three silver, and four bronze medals.
According to KUSF Secretary General Joan Adalo, Mutinda from Embu University was set to compete in both the 400m and 200m, and has since been replaced by Isaiah Saiyalel.
“The change of dates was a big blow to us, as the last-minute withdrawals are likely to affect their medal hunt in Germany. The three were big medal prospects,” Adalo opined. “Chepngetich and Kosgei have not been replaced due to the time frame for a multi-disciplinary sporting event. Their performance has been good, and we had a lot of confidence in them.”
Mutinda has been the talk of two since impressing at the AK national championship held on Friday, 27 June, where he led teammate Brian Tinega and Prisons' Kevin Kipkorir in going under the men’s 400m 44:85 seconds mark, set for the 2025 Tokyo Championship.
The varsity student clocked 44.51 to finish ahead of Tinega, who came home in 44.67, while Kipkorir completed the podium places in 44.80. The trio will go up against established one-lap sprinters for a chance to feature in Tokyo.
.jpg)
.jpg)