Wanza faces Chemnung, Chepkirui test as Oketch, Cheruiyot and Yego headline National Championship
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 18.06.26. | 09:26
Wanza, 27, has enjoyed a flawless campaign so far, remaining unbeaten in every race she has contested this season and steadily cementing her place among Kenya's elite distance runners
Fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships last month, rising distance-running star Diana Wanza will be eager to maintain her scintillating form when she lines up at the Athletics Kenya (AK) National Championships and Commonwealth Games trials this weekend.
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Wanza, 27, has enjoyed a flawless campaign so far, remaining unbeaten in every race she has contested this season and steadily cementing her place among Kenya's elite distance runners.
Her impressive run began on March 21 at the Azpeitia Half Marathon in Spain, where she stormed to victory in 1:07:31.
The Kenyan finished comfortably ahead of home favorite Irene Sanchez (1:11:13) and compatriot Vivian Rop (1:12:56).
She carried that momentum into the African Championships trials on 10 April, claiming victory in the women's 10,000m after clocking 32:12.1.
Wanza showcased both strength and tactical awareness to finish ahead of Mercy Chepng'eno (32:27.2) and Phena Yego (32:47.4).
The in-form athlete then extended her winning streak at the Kip Keino Classic on 24 April, this time over 5,000m.
She crossed the finish line in 15:28.91, with Mercy Chepkemoi (15:49.85) and Dorcus Chepkwemoi (15:55.29) trailing behind.
Her remarkable season reached another milestone on 12 May in Accra, Ghana, where she captured her maiden continental title at the African Championships.
Wanza produced a dominant front-running performance to win the women's 10,000m in 31:33.26, ahead of Rwanda's Florence Niyonkuru (31:43.73) and Ethiopia's Asefu Abrehab (31:45.91).
The reigning African champion has already outlined her ambitions for the season, with qualification for the Commonwealth Games and a podium finish among her primary targets.
"I have to make the team for the Commonwealth Games. I am hoping for a medal there too," Wanza said in an earlier interview.
However, extending her unbeaten run will be no easy task.
Defending champion Loice Chemnung stands among the leading contenders after winning last year's national 10,000m title in 31:39.09.
She finished ahead of Cintia Chepng'eno (32:22.44) and Rebecca Mwangi (32:22.85) to secure the crown.
Also expected to mount a strong challenge is 2024 New York Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui, who arrives in excellent form after winning the Nagoya Women's Marathon in 2:21:54 on March 8.
Adding further depth to the field is Janeth Chepng'etich, the reigning African 10,000m champion.
Day One schedule for the Athletics Kenya National Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials at Nyayo National Stadium. pic.twitter.com/JzNuUO1rCY
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In contrast, Mwangi, the national 5,000m champion, and 2025 NCAA double champion Pamela Kosgei are also expected to feature prominently.
Oketch, Moraa Set for 400m Showdown
Elsewhere, fans can look forward to a thrilling battle in the women's 400m, where national record holder Mercy Oketch will renew her rivalry with former record holder Mary Moraa and experienced campaigner Mercy Chebet.
Oketch heads into the championships as the defending national champion after winning last year's title in 50.32 seconds.
The men's 400m is equally stacked, with defending champion George Mutinda targeting another national crown and a place on Team Kenya for Glasgow.
"My training has been good; everything is good. The focus is to defend my title and make the team for Glasgow," Mutinda said.
The sprinter is set to face stiff competition from national indoor record holder Brian Tinega, African silver medalist Boniface Mweresa, Kevin Kipkorir, and David Sanayek in what promises to be one of the standout races of the championships.
Cheruiyot, Yego Among Big Names in Action
Attention will also be on the men's 1,500m, where 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot takes on a strong field that includes 2022 World U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot, Daniel Munguti, and Brian Komen.
In the field events, Kenya's javelin great Julius Yego will be seeking another major championship berth as he eyes a record fifth appearance at the Commonwealth Games.