Nairobi ¨C Peres Jepchirchir said on Wednesday she was relishing her imminent return to Japan for the first time since storming to Olympic marathon gold at the COVID-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.
Jepchirchir has been named as one of three Kenyan women in the marathon squad for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 13-21.
The other athletes include the current Rotterdam marathon champion Jackline Cherono and Magdalyne Masai, who was fourth in this year¡¯s Tokyo marathon.
Jepchirchir, 31, a two-time half world marathon champion, overcame intense heat to take gold at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, beating fellow Kenyan and former world marathon record-holder Brigid Kosgei.
¡°I am happy with the confidence the Kenyan selectors have had in me despite the disappointment in the Paris Olympics,¡± she said in Nairobi.
¡°It¡¯s my first time to compete in the World Championships, and I¡¯m looking forward to it,¡± she added.
¡°We know Ethiopia have selected a strong team and they¡¯re the defending champions. But I believe in the Kenya team and I pray God will give us health and strength that day to face them.¡±
The women¡¯s marathon will be held on September 14, followed by the men¡¯s race a day later.
The Kenyan men¡¯s team is led by Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, whose best time is 2:03:13, which he recorded while making his debut in the 2023 Berlin marathon when he finished second to Eliud Kipchoge.
Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion, will not take part in Tokyo.
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