Eugene offers Nakaayi no freebies

NEW YORK, USA. Halimah Nakaayi always keeps positive regardless of her results at the elite global stage of the women’s 800-metre racing.

The 2019 world champion has endured highs and lows with painful exits at the last three Olympics, the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the Oregon 2022 and Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships.  

Yet, routing and switching of camps and coaches has played a critical role in her performances. Training has morphed over the past decade from Uganda, Netherlands, Ethiopia, the USA and now in Kenya.

Nakaayi currently trains with star and friend Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kamworor under coach Patrick Sang in Kaptagat, western Kenya.

Days after helping Kipyegon to attempt breaking the four-minute barrier over the mile in French capital Paris, Nakaayi is now here in the USA to compete at the Eugene leg of the Wanda Diamond League (DL) tomorrow night in Oregon State on the west coast.

This event, commonly referred to as the Prefontaine Classic, attracts America’s best stars as well as global talent sponsored by Nike to the Hayward Field.

This American athletic footwear and apparel corporation is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon and it is mandatory for Nike-contracted athletes to be in Eugene.

So Nakaayi, Peruth Chemutai, Joshua Cheptegei, and Jacob Kiplimo are obliged and are in the USA. For Nakaayi, she is keen on application of knowledge over the two-lap race

“I am super happy with the way I am progressing,” she said. “I am super determined that this season I am going to achieve something great.”

The 30-year-old’s fastest race this year came during the Shanghai DL leg at the China Textile City Sports Centre in Shaoxing/Keqiao, China where she posted one minute and 58.39 seconds.

In Eugene, Nakaayi faces a tough task. The Ugandan currently ranked 13th over the distance will be up a quality field comprising familiar faces like Olympic silver medalist Ethiopian Tsige Duguma who is the world leader at 1:56.64.

The field has attracted Olympic bronze medalist Kenyan Mary Moraa, world indoor champion South African Prudence Sekgodiso and former Olympic champion American Athing Mu-Nikolayev.

The 23-year-old Mu-Nikolayev was beaten in the US Trials and consequently missed the Paris Olympics and this will be her first competitive two-lap race in a year.

Nakaayi knows the task at hand. “In Eugene, it is a tough start list but I am determined to do my best,” she said. “My goal is to run to my best because seriously, I need good results, Insha Allah,” she added.

At this DL leg in Eugene, Nakaayi posted 1:58.18 in fifth last year, 1:58.34 in fifth place at Hayward in 2023, 1:59.94 in sixth place in 2022 and 1:58.78 in sixth place in 2021.

Great Britain’s Jemma Reekie and another American Raevyn Rogers are also in the fray.

TEAM UGANDA TO THE TOKYO WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

QUALIFIED BY TIME

WOMEN: Halimah Nakaayi (800 Metres), Peruth Chemutai (3000 Metres Steeplechase), Sarah Chelangat (5000 Metres), Stella Chesang (Marathon)

MEN: Keneth Kiprop (5000 Metres), Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, Stephen Kissa, Victor Kiplangat (Marathon)

NOTE: The qualifying window for the marathon and 35km race walk ran from November 5, 2023 until May 4, 2025. For the 10,000m, 20km race walk, combined events (like men’s decathlon and the women’s heptathlon) and relays, the window runs from February 25, 2024 to August 24, 2025. For all other events, entry standards can be achieved from August 1, 2024 to August 24, 2025.