Nakaayi Eyes Strong Comeback in Doha Amidst Tough Competition

Ugandan middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi is set for a challenging weekend of competition as she participates in two major athletics events. Fresh off a ninth-place finish at the Los Angeles Grand Prix, Nakaayi will first test her mettle in the women’s 800 meters at the Wanda Diamond League leg in Doha, Qatar.

This event presents a crucial opportunity for Nakaayi to gauge her progress following her training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, where she has been training alongside stars like Faith Kipyegon under coach Patrick Sang. In Doha, she faces a strong field, including Olympic silver medalist Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia and the in-form duo of Prudence Sekgodiso from South Africa and Shafiqua Maloney of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. All three have recorded times under 1:58:00 this season, setting the benchmark Nakaayi aims to achieve.

Following the Doha meet, Nakaayi is scheduled to compete in the 800 meters at the 45th FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands. With her personal best of 1:57.26, a victory in Hengelo is considered a realistic possibility.

Meanwhile, fellow Ugandan athletes Keneth Kiprop and Dolphine Chelimo will also be in action at the Hengelo event. Kiprop, competing in the men’s 5000 meters, has his sights set on victory. Coached by Addy Ruiter and Denis Okudach, Kiprop, whose personal best is 13:00.49, is aiming to break the 13-minute barrier. He will face stiff competition from athletes like Mike Foppen (Netherlands), Simon Amanuel (Eritrea), and Darragh McElhinney (Ireland), who have all run under 13:03.00. Chelimo is also set to race in the 5000 meters as she recovers from an injury.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda) https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/athletics/doha-tests-nakaayi-kiprop-eyes-hengelo-win-5502562