World rivals Kenya and Ethiopia name teams for Nanjing Championship
By Kiplagat Sang, March 15, 2025World rivals Kenya and Ethiopia have named their respective teams for the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25.
In the Kenyan team, Noah Kibet, who earned 800m silver back in 2022, is among the athletes listed. The 20-year-old will feature in his third appearance at a World Indoor Championships.
Vivian Chebet and Susan Ejore have been named in the women’s team. Chebet placed fourth in the 800m at last year’s edition in Glasgow, while Ejore is the Kenyan record-holder for the indoor mile.
Ethiopia’s team
Defending champions Tsige Duguma and Freweyni Hailu are among the athletes to represent Ethiopia.
Duguma recorded a breakthrough victory in the 800m in Glasgow last year, which prefaced the Olympic silver medal she earned over the same distance later in 2024. On the other hand, Hailu claimed gold in the 1500m.
Gudaf Tsegay, a world 10,000m champion, will race in 1500m and should feel motivated as he heads to Nanjing as the world leader in the race following her 3:53.92 clocking in Torun. This is the second-fastest performance in history behind her own world indoor record.
Two-time world indoor 1500m champion Samuel Tefera is also on the team, while Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Berihu Aregawi will contest the 3000m.
Kenyan team for Nanjing
Women
800m: Vivian Chebet Kiprotich, Lilian Odira
1500m: Susan Lokayo Ejore, Dorcus Ewoi
3000m: Purity Kajuju Gitonga
Men
800m: Noah Kibet, Alex Ngeno Kipngetich, Collins Kipruto
1500m: Festus Lagat
3000m: Cornelius Kemboi
Ethiopian team for Nanjing
Women
800m: Habitam Alemu, Tsige Duguma, Nigist Getachew
1500m: Worknesh Mesele, Gudaf Tsegay, Diribe Welteji
3000m: Tsigie Gebreselama, Freweyni Hailu, Birke Haylom
Men
1500m: Melese Nberet, Samuel Tefera
3000m: Berihu Aregawi, Biniam Mehary, Getnet Wale