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African men’s 800m champ Ng’eno bristling with intent
Alex Ng'eno (21) competes with Aron Kemei (77) in the 800m semi-finals during All Africa Games Trials on March 5, 2024, at Nyayo National Stadium.
What you need to know:
- Kiptanui highlighted the financial and logistical advantages for local athletes.
- "Hosting such events locally reduces costs for our runners. Instead of spending on airfare and long travels abroad, our athletes only need to travel to Nairobi," he said.
African men’s 800m champion Alex Kipngetich Ng’eno is brimming with confidence as he prepares for his Absa Kip Keino Classic debut on Saturday at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
The former world under-20 silver medallist over the distance, who trains in Kericho County, sees the Continental Tour Gold event as his golden opportunity to attain the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships qualification mark of 1:44.50 as he excels on home soil.
But the men’s race will not be a walk in the park.
Ng’eno, who won the 2024 African Championships in Athletics in Douala, Cameroon, in a time of 1:45.02, will have to reckon with seasoned runners the likes of Olympic silver medallist Ferguson Rotich and World Indoor silver medallist Noah Kibet. African Games 800m Gold medalist Aron Chemining'wa is also in the mix.
Ng'eno remains undaunted.
"For me, since it’s my first time competing at Kip Keino, my aim is to win and even set a personal best," he declared.
He holds a personal best of 1:43.74, attained during last year’s national trials for the Paris Olympics Games at Nyayo Stadium.
Ng’eno’s coach, Gabriel Kiptanui, is just as confident.
“Like any coach with a talented athlete, I believe my runner will perform well. We have had excellent training sessions, and I’m confident he will deliver," Kiptanui said.
Ng'eno's most recent high-profile race was at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, where he finished sixth in 1:47.53.
He represented Kenya at the 2019 Doha and 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships.
"Kip Keino is just a stepping stone. Our main goal is qualifying for the World Championships," said Ng’eno.
Ng'eno first represented Kenya in 2018 at the World Under-20 championships in Tampere, Finland, winning silver in men’s 800m with a time of 1:46:45.
Coach Kiptanui hailed the Kip Keino Classic for bringing world-class competition to Kenyan soil and giving local talent a chance to mix with the best.
Kiptanui highlighted the financial and logistical advantages for local athletes.
"Hosting such events locally reduces costs for our runners. Instead of spending on airfare and long travels abroad, our athletes only need to travel to Nairobi," he said.