Irene Jerotich Kosgei to replace Philis Ongori Moraa at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu
Marred by injuries of their athletes, Athletics Kenya has decided to make some changes into the squads which have been selected for representing the country at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics and also at the All Africa Games to be held in Maputo.
With the abundance of athletics talent that Kenya enjoys, changing some key players might not affect the country's performance at the Daegu event. However, Kosgei's spectators will certainly be happy over the decision.
Among the changes that have been made to the Kenyan squad for the global athletics event, where the injured Philis Ongori Moraa was replaced by gold medallist of the Delhi marathon last year, Irene Jerotich Kosgei.
Kosgei boasts of an impressive profile which has been built gradually, along with the display of a consistent performance. She has been a tremendously reliable performer lately and as per general perception, her inclusion into the squad will also be cherished
by Kenyan spectators.
Kosgei, the 28-year-old runner who happens to be the first Kenyan female runner to bag a Club Games marathon title, will now strive to reclaim the world championships crown that was honoured to her homeland back in 2007, in reward of the toiling efforts
made by Catherine Dereba in Osaka.
Kosgei’s first victory was marked at the Nairobi Marathon back in 2006, which was claimed all over again in 2010, when she observed a course record of two hours, 28 minutes and 47 seconds. Among other major achievements claimed by Kosgei, one can refer towards
her success in 2005 at Baringo, while contesting in a 15k race and also at the Tiberias Marathon in 2010. To add to her credentials, she also finished in the top-three positions of the Ottawa and Reims Marathon.
Looking over such a splendid history, it dawns upon one that she has always been a reliable athlete and for bringing her in for replacing the injured Ongori Moraa, Athletics Kenya will certainly be making a right decision.
Joining her on the field will be formidable athletes like Edna Kiplagat, Prisca Jeptoo, Sharon Cherop and Caroline Rotich. Sharing details about contestants who were denied with the opportunity to represent Kenya at the global athletics events, Peter Angwenyi,
the AK Public Relations officer said that Emily Ngii and Josephat Sirma were not allowed to contest at the meets. Sirma was forced to quit by the new IAAF Rules.
However, he was of the view that as per the IAAF guidelines, it was necessary to have at least three judges on the course while deciding about the final squad for the world championships, while the national trials were attended by only two judges.
Other athletes that will now be representing Kenya’s running squad are Grace Wanjiru and David Kimutai, while prominent athletes that will stay out of the championships are Daniel Basoroi and Rebecca Cheptum.
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