Track and field championships ended in relative disappointment for Kenya, which continued its decline in the overall medal standings.
In the 2022 championships, Kenya won 10 medals (two gold, five silver, and three bronze), placing it fourth behind hosts the US, Ethiopia, and Jamaica.
By Kenya’s performance analysis, 2022 registered one of the toughest years since the 2005 championships in Helsinki, when the country ranked ninth with only seven medals.
However, some Kenyan athletes recorded exceptional performances, some of which may remain unbroken for a very long time.
Also Read: Athletes With Kenyan Roots Who Have Been Successful in 2022
Among Kenyan athletes who are glittering to golden glory are Brigid Kosgei and Beatrice Chepkoech who posted excellent results in recent years but could not compete to their best due to a myriad of challenges.
TeamKenya.co.ke looks at the number of records set by Kenyan runners in 2022.
Eliud Kipchoge
By records, Eliud Kipchoge is the most successful Kenyan long-distance runner who formerly specialized in the 5000 metre distance marathon.
Widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, Eliud Kipchoge ran a sensational race to break his world record at the 2022 BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 25.
The 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon champion has run four of the six fastest marathons in history.
Kipchoge’s streak of victories started flowing in 2003 when he won the junior race at the World Cross Country Championships, setting a world junior record over 5000 metres on the track.
Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum is one of the most promising marathon runners in Kenya.
The 23-year-old long-distance runner was the fastest athlete in a debut track race at the 2022 Valencia Marathon.
Kiptum recorded a victory in the Valencia Marathon by becoming the third man in history to ever break the two hours and two minutes mark.
Kiptum’s first international glimpse into glory was registered in March 2019 when he finished fifth at the Lisbon Half Marathon (59:54).
It didn’t take too long before recording a personal best of 58:42 during Valencia Half Marathon in December 2020.
Angella Okutoyi
Angella Okutoyi became the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam title at the girls’ juniors Wimbledon event partnering a Dutch, Rose Marie Nijkamp.
The 18-year-old professional tennis player also surprised the world at the 2022 Australian Open, when she became the first Kenyan to win a girls’ junior singles Grand Slam match.
Okutoyi also won the ITF Circuit when she played for Kenya in the BJK Cup, where she recorded a win/loss record of 2–4.
The Mbagathi Primary School alumnus became the first Kenyan to bag the coveted Wimbledon Open title on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
Okutoyi narrates that they were raised by their grandmother Mary as their mother died in childbirth.
Okutoyi’s sister, Roselinda Asumwa is also a tennis sensation and currently playing ITF fixtures and local tournaments.
Also Read: Double Delight for Okutoyi’s Family Ahead of 2023 Season