NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Kenya team is banking on its splendid show at the Africa Athletics Championships to guide it to a successful World Relay Championships, which will start on Friday in Yokohama, Japan.
Kenya is seeking to hit two birds with one stone. At stake is the chance to win gold and its lucrative price pack, and on the other hand is the chance to clock qualifying times for World Championships set for Sept. 28 and Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar.
"We are determined to carry the spirit from Asaba, Nigeria last year to Yokohama," said captain Aron Koech on Wednesday. "We have no injuries and the ambitions of the squad are high. We have worked on our skills in speed work, baton handling and starts. We are good to go."
Koech noted that it was exciting and encouraging to have the women's 4x400m team on board at the last minute.
"The inclusion of the women's 4x400m team has excited the Team Kenya camp. We have really worked on major areas and we are good to go," Koech added.
Head coach Stephen Mwaniki said "we must reach the final of this event and then decide on the color of the medal we want."
The 2x2x400m will be the first final to take place in Yokohama. World and Olympic 800m finalist Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich will be making his third World Relays appearance for Kenya.
A 1:42.84 performer at best, he finished first in the 4x800m in 2014 and second in 2017. Emily Cherotich Tuei, who reduced her PB to 1:58.04 last year, is the other notable name on the Kenyan squad.
Alongside the host nation, the Athlete Refugee Team will be sure to draw big cheers from the crowd. They will be represented by James Nyang Chiengjiek and Rose Nathike Lokonyen, who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in the 400m and 800m respectively.
Lokonyen also competed at the IAAF World Championships London 2017, but this will be Chiengjiek's debut at an IAAF World Athletics Series event.
After its wildly successful debut in Nassau two years ago, the mixed 4x400m relay returns to center in Yokohama, but minus defending champion Bahamas.
