Ferguson Rotich Cheruiyot delivered arguably the biggest surprise of the entire Kenyan world championship trials meeting, held 31 July and 1 August at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. After he and reigning 800m Olympic champion & world record holder David Rudisha comfortably won their 800 semi-final sections in 1:44.6 and 1:44.2, respectively, Rotich in the final stayed in 2nd place behind Rudisha until they entered the finishing straight, where Rotich surged into the lead to win in a season best 1:43.60, ahead of Rudisha’s 1:43.89. Sprint specialists Alphas Kishoyan and Mike Mokamba Nyangau both fully lived up to their pre-race favorite status, as Kishoyan won the 400m final in 45.02, the second-fastest 400m of his career, while Mokamba successfully completed the 100-200 double with winning final times of 9.9 (hand) and 20.48 (personal best). In addition to Rotich, Mokamba, and Kishoyan, world championship team spots were also secured by Betsy Saina (2nd in 10000m, 32:59.2), Virginia Nyambura (2nd in 3000m SC, 9:33.69), Alfred Kipketer (3rd in 800m, 1:44.07 season best), and Isiah Kiplangat Koech (3rd in 5000m, 13:41.19). Other Personae-managed athletes falling short of earning WC berths, but posting strong performances, included Purity Kirui (4th in 3000m SC, 9:37.62), Alice Aprot Nawowuna (5th in 5000m, 15:51.79), Caroline Chepkemoi (6th in 1500m, 4:10.46), and James Rungaru (7th in 10000m, 27:50.09).
Other noteworthy results by Personae athletes in late-July action included from the Belgian national championships, 25-26 July: Michael Bultheel (1st in 400mH, 49.04 personal best/’15 Europe no. 5), Axelle Dauwens (1st in 400mH, 55.93 season best), and Anne Zagre (1st in 100mH, 12.87 and 1st in 100m, 11.49); from German national championships in Nurnberg, 26 July: Gesa-Felicitas Krause (1st in 3000m SC, 9:32.20); and finally, from the Stockholm Diamond League meeting, 30 July: Philip Milanov (2nd in Discus, 64.97), Hillary Yego (3rd in 3000m SC, 8:19.14), Mitko Tsenov (5th in 30000m SC, 8:21.89 season best), and Pieter-Jan Hannes (9th in 1500m, 3:36.92).