Commonwealth Games 2014 : David Rudisha, Ezekiel Kemboi to spearhead Kenyan squad

David Rudisha

Nairobi, June 9 (IANS) Kenya's Olympic champions David Rudisha and Ezekiel Kemboi will lead a star-studded Kenyan team for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the subsequent Marrakech Africa Athletics Championships following the conclusion of the selection event here.

Both were granted wildcard selection by Athletics Kenya after being permitted to skip the trials. Rudisha will compete at the New York Grand Prix IAAF Diamond League meeting June 14 while Kemboi, who failed to finish in Rome Thursday, needs time to be back in form.

World champions Milcah Chemos and Eunice Sum will join Commonwealth crown holders from the last edition in New Delhi, India in 2010, Mark Mutai (men's 400m) and John Ekiru Kilai to take part in the Games.

Other prominent names in the squad include Moscow World Championships medallists, Mercy Cherono Hellen Obiri and Lydia Chepkirui, former Commonwealth titleholder Janeth Jepkosgei and two-time World junior champion Faith Chepn'getich.

Runners who gained selector's favour for a wildcard after failing to impress at the three-day National Championships cum Trials, include World junior record holder Isaiah Kiplangat Koech and Chepkirui.

Beijing 2008 Olympics champion and two-time World champion Asbel Kiprop declined to take his wildcard after surprisingly pulling out of the men's 1500m.

"My body was tired and after the bell, I felt a slight strain in my left calf and decided not to risk further damage. I'm disappointed at not getting the chance at running for my country but there are other challenges ahead," the lanky 24 year-old said.

Men's javelin star Julius Yego and women's hammer specialist Linda Oseso also made the squad.