World U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot confident of bagging Budapest slot

With tough competition expected as athletes compete for places in Team Kenya to the World Athletics Championship set for Budapest in August, World U20 1500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot is positive of bagging his ticket.

So confident is the 18-year-old that he says his target in the Athletics Kenya (AK) trials set for 7 and 8 July at Nyayo Stadium is to win the race.

Reynold goes up against a deep field that has former world champion and Olympics silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot who is injury free, Abel Kipsang Vincent Keter who finished on the podium at this year’s Kip Keino Classic where Reynold won. Timothy elected to compete in the 800m, finishing third.

“I am in a very good place both physically and mentally. I have been preparing for the trials with the kind of competition I will face in mind and everything is how I wanted it to be ahead of the weekend action.

Crème de la crème of Kenya’s Athletics set to clash for World Championship slots

I am coming to Nairobi to not only challenge for a slot but to win the trials as that will give me confidence going forward as we prepare for the World Championships in Budapest,” a confident Reynold told Mozzart Sport.

Also, on the field is national champion Daniel Munguti who clocked 3:37.38 to win the title two weeks ago ahead of Keter and Victor Kipkurui. Reynold raced in the semis but missed the final at the nationals.

“I had an agreement with my coach to pull out of the final. Our focus is on the world championships and we felt the need to concentrate on that,” the world cross country championships silver medalist explained.

The youngster admits that the toughest competition will come from Timothy and Kipsang who were in the final at the 2022 Championships in Oregon. He has been named in both the 1500m and 5000m teams but has since confirm to Mozzart Sport that he will not be doubling.

1500m men’s list

Timothy Cheruiyot

Abel Kipsang

Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot

Vincent Kibet Keter

Etyang Kamar

Daniel Kyumbe Munguti

Victor Kipkirui

Charles Cheboi Simotwo

Elijah Motonei Manangoi

George Meitamei Manangoi

Festus Lagat

Mathew Kipsang