Omanyala, Kipyegon set for epic battles as Jamaica, Netherlands confirm Budapest teams
By Joel Sang, August 4, 2023Kenya’s superstars in the 2023 World Athletics Championship Ferdinand Omanyala and Faith Kipyegon are set for epic battles in Budapest after the Netherlands and Jamaica confirmed their teams.
Ryiem Ford, Oblique Seville, and Rohan Watson are Jamaica’s 100m representatives and are set to clash with Omanyala during the August 19–27 global showpiece.
The Kenyan national champion is expected to have his morale boosted by his recent achievement in the Monaco Diamond League, where he won the 100m race and became the first Kenyan to achieve the feat on the circuits.
Fraser-Pryce, Jackson in
Although Kenya will not field a women’s team in the 100m and 200m, fans expect to see an entertaining competition as Jamaica have named their superstars to represent them in those fields. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, the defending champions at 100m and 200m, respectively, feature on Jamaica’s team.
Fraser-Pryce and Jackson filled the top two places in the 100m and 200m in Oregon last year, with the latter taking silver in the 100m and Fraser-Pryce finishing runner-up in the 200m.
Although she has not competed on a regular basis this season due to an injury, Fraser-Pryce is eyeing a historic sixth world 100m title.
Meanwhile, triple world record breaker Kipyegon is set to face Sifan Hassan, who headlines the Netherlands team, and will be doubling up since she has been registered for the 1500m and 5000m races.
Kipyegon, the 2020 Diamond League Meeting winner in Doha, Qatar, is hoping to defend her title in Budapest but expects stiff competition from the Ethiopian-Dutch-born Hassan.
Hassan, who completed an unprecedented triple at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she won gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m and a bronze medal in the 1500m, leads a Dutch team that also has Maureen Koster in the 5000m.
Kipyegon is among the athletes that will also double up at the World Athletics Championship since she has been entered into 1500m and 5000m races.
Jamaican team for Budapest
Women
100m: Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson
200m: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Natalliah Whyte
400m: Candice McLeod, Nickisha Pryce, Charokee Young
800m: Natoya Goule-Toppin, Adelle Tracey
1500m: Adelle Tracey
100m hurdles: Ackera Nugent, Megan Tapper, Danielle Williams
400m hurdles: Rushell Clayton, Andrenette Knight, Janieve Russell
Men
100m: Ryiem Ford, Oblique Seville, Rohan Watson
200m: Rasheed Dwyer, Andrew Hudson
400m: Sean Bailey, Zandrion Barnes, Antonio Watson
800m: Navasky Anderson
110m hurdles: Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, Hansle Parchment
400m hurdles: Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, Assinie Wilson
Dutch team for Budapest
Women
100m: N’Ketia Seedo
200m: Tasa Jiya
400m: Lieke Klaver
1500m: Sifan Hassan
5000m: Sifan Hassan, Maureen Koster
10,000m: Sifan Hassan, Diane van Es
100m hurdles: Maayke Tijn A-Lim, Nadine Visser
400m hurdles: Femke Bol, Cathelijn Peeters
Men
100m: Raphael Bouju
200m: Taymir Burnet
400m: Liemarvin Bonevacia
1500m: Niels Laros
5000m: Mike Foppen