Kenyan duo Ronald Kwemoi, Ishmael Kipkurui to battle with Burundi’s Kwizera in Seville
By Collins Amanga, November 11, 2023
Sunday’s men’s 9.9km race at the Cross Internacional de Itálica is poised for an exciting three-way showdown, with Kenyan athletes Ronald Kwemoi and Ishmael Kipkurui going head-to-head against Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera.
Kwemoi, a 28-year-old with a recent runner-up finish in Atapuerca and a close win over Kipkurui in San Sebastián, is gearing up for his third consecutive appearance on Spanish soil.
Ronald Kwemoi beats Kipkirui
In their recent clash, Kipkurui, the world U20 cross-country champion, led for a significant portion of the race but faced a thrilling sprint finish, narrowly losing to Kwemoi by just one second.
The field also includes Hillary Chepkwoni from Kenya, entering the race with momentum from an impressive personal best at the Valencia Half Marathon.
Meanwhile, Kwizera, co-winner of the 2022-2023 World Cross Country Tour, looks to build on his eighth-place finish at the World Cross Country Championships and a recent triumph in Castellón.
Eritrea’s Aron Kifle, the 2018 world half marathon bronze medallist, is set to make his 2023 cross country debut, alongside compatriot Merhawi Mebrahtu, the world U20 5000m silver medallist.
Ronald Kwemoi’s competitors
Uganda’s Oscar Chelimo, the 2022 world 5000m bronze medallist, aims for a top-five finish, supported by compatriot Martin Kiprotich, who finished 18th at the World Cross in Bathurst.
The Spanish contingent is led by Mohamed Katir, the world 5000m silver medallist, currently training in Sierra Nevada. Noteworthy Spanish competitors include Abdessamad Oukhelfen, Adel Mechaal, and Sergio Paniagua. Adrian Ben, a 25-year-old considering a shift to longer distances, recently secured a cross-country victory in Lugo.
Middle-distance specialists Niels Laros from the Netherlands and Britain’s Callum Elson, the newly-minted world mile silver medallist, add further excitement to the lineup