Team Kenya’s senior men’s 10km World Cross Country Championships squad is brimming with confidence as it eyes a return to the top of the individual podium when the gun goes off at the global showpiece on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida.
The last time Kenya celebrated an individual men’s world cross country champion was in 2017 in Kampala, Uganda through Geoffrey Kamworor powered to gold.
Since then, the crown has slipped from Kenyan hands as Uganda’s distance aces have stamped their authority on the world stage.
Joshua Cheptegei ignited Uganda’s dominance by claiming the title in Aarhus in 2019 before completing a double with victory in Bathurst in 2023.
In the most recent edition, held in Belgrade, Serbia, Jacob Kiplimo claimed the title.
Despite the prolonged drought, Kenya’s camp remains upbeat, with coach Patrick Ivuti convinced that the current crop has both the pedigree and preparation to recapture the men’s individual crown.
“2017 is when the men last brought the individual title,” Ivuti said.
“I know this time round, with this team, we have the potential to bring back the medal just like in 2017.
“We have faith in this team. The training and cooperation from the athletes has been very good. We have high hopes in them and they are very focused. We wish them all the best in Florida.”
Ivuti underlined that discipline and execution will be key on race day, stressing that success will come if the athletes stick to the race plan.
“If they do what we have been telling them and directing them, they will come back home with the title,” he added.
The men’s senior race, 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo will spearhead the Kenyan onslaught.
Adding further firepower is a deep cast featuring rising star Ishmael Rokitto alongside Edwin Bett, Robert Koech, Weldon Langat, Shadrack Koech, Denis Kemboi and Kevin Chesang.
Rising star Rokitto echoed his coach’s confidence, noting that the squad is driven not only to defend the overall crown but also to reclaim the individual title in the men’s race.
“We have been in camp for a month and training has been good. We thank God there are no serious injuries in the team,” Rokitto said.
“Everyone is focused on going to Florida and coming back with medals. We are going there as the defending champions, so our main focus is bringing back the individual title in the men’s race.”
At the 2024 edition, Kenya was crowned overall champions in the senior men’s race after amassing 19 points, with Uganda (31 points) and Ethiopia (40 points) completing the podium.
Rokitto brings valuable experience to the team, having tasted world cross country success after claiming the U20 title in Bathurst in 2023.
He believes the intense training block the team has undergone will be decisive in Florida.
“Our training has been good, and I hope to go and do well alongside my teammates in America,” he said.
Teammate Shadrack Koech also spoke of a squad locked in on the task ahead, insisting that the focus remains firmly on success in Tallahassee.
“We have trained well and our focus is to defend the overall men’s title in Florida,” Koech said.
He paid tribute to the technical bench and support staff for laying a solid foundation during camp.
“We thank the chief coach and all the other support personnel who have been key in preparing us for the World Cross Country Championships.”
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