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Commonwealth Games 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet is eyeing glory at the World Cross Country championship in Bathurst, Australia slated for February 18.

She is among a star-studded team of Kenyan athletes featuring in the annual global showpiece that takes centre stage this weekend.

“I’m elated to be included in the squad despite the ups and downs that I experienced at the trials in December. I’m ready to make Kenya proud in Australia,” Chebet said.

Her dismal performance at the trials raised queries after critics questioned her inclusion in the women’s senior team yet she failed to complete the full stretch of the race

It is Team Kenya head coach Julius Kirwa who came to her defence, explaining that she was picked on the strength of her splendid run on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Star runner Joshua Cheptegei has vowed that Uganda can win gold at the Bathurst race.

Cheptegei, who is the world record holder in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m, is part of the Ugandan team that traveled on Tuesday ahead of the world event.

“We have a good team in both senior and junior levels and we are confident of coming back with medals.

“We know we shall face tough competition from Ethiopia and Kenya, but we have prepared well enough,” Cheptegei told Xinhua before departure.

Cheptegei is expected to combine with another Olympic medallist Jacob Kiplimo to outshine Kenya’s two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor.

Additional reporting by Xinhua

Head coach Francis Damai also said he is optimistic the team is well-prepared and should be able to perform well.

“We generally have a good team in all categories in seniors and junior levels,” added the coach.

Uganda’s team will have six senior male and six women runners, along with six junior male runners and five junior female runners.

The World Cross Country Championship 2023 will also attract other athletes from Australia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, Eritrea, Spain, New Zealand and China among others.

Additional reporting by Xinhua