Nicholas Kimeli is determined to reclaim Kenya’s dominance in the 5000m and 10,000m, vowing to challenge the strongholds of Ugandan and Ethiopian athletes. The Commonwealth Games silver medallist has set his sights on a successful track season, believing he is poised for a breakthrough year.
Kimeli remains confident that Kenya can regain the world titles in the men’s long-distance events, and he is ready to take on the challenge. His preparations have not been without setbacks, as he sustained a foot injury at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon earlier in the season. The injury affected his training leading up to the Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country Championships, but he still managed to secure an impressive third-place finish.
Now shifting his focus to the Diamond League meetings, Kimeli aims to use these races as stepping stones to peak at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. He is determined to silence the dominance of Ethiopian and Ugandan athletes who have controlled the 5000m and 10,000m in recent years.
“I hope this year will be good. When we go to the Tokyo World Championships, I will prepare very well, and I have already started with this cross country,” he said. “I hope my season will go well because I also want to compete in the Diamond Leagues, and my hope is that we shall run well this year.”
Kenya has struggled to reclaim glory in these events over the past two decades. The last time a Kenyan athlete won the 5000m title at the World Championships was in 2005, when Benjamin Limo triumphed in Helsinki. In the 10,000m, the drought has been even longer, with Charles Kamathi securing Kenya’s last gold in 2001 at the World Championships in Edmonton. Since then, Ethiopian and Ugandan runners have dominated, but Kimeli believes their reign is nearing its end.
“I will not let you down, Kenya, this time around,” he vowed. “Before Tokyo, I want to compete in the Diamond Leagues, and I have very high expectations. I pray that God will protect me and guide me throughout the challenges.”
Kimeli is no stranger to competing on the global stage. He has represented Kenya in multiple championships, showcasing his potential even when results have not gone his way. At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, he finished fourth in the 5000m final, narrowly missing out on a medal.
At the 2022 World Championships, he finished seventh in the 5000m final, and in 2023, he attempted the 5000m and 10,000m double but struggled to make an impact, finishing eighth in the 10,000m and failing to qualify for the 5000m final. His 2024 Paris Olympic Games campaign also did not go as planned, as he finished 14th in the 10,000m.
Despite these challenges, Kimeli remains determined to turn things around. He believes the experience gained over the years has prepared him for a defining moment in his career. With the World Championships in Tokyo fast approaching, he is ready to lead Kenya’s charge and restore the nation’s glory in long-distance running.
