The countdown to the highly anticipated World Athletics Championships has begun, and the African continent is gearing up to make its mark with an exceptional line-up of track and field talent. From sprinting dynamos to long-distance titans, African athletes are poised to showcase their prowess on the international stage.

Witness the wonder at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023!#visithungaryhttps://t.co/SC9fF8sw5S pic.twitter.com/m1WiIytjFn

— Visit Hungary (@visit_hungary) August 16, 2023

African Women on the world stage

Ivory Coast’s speedster

Marie-Josée Ta Lou from Ivory Coast is primed to impact the 100m event significantly. Holding the impressive world ranking of 2nd, Ta Lou is expected to electrify the track with her lightning-fast sprints and tenacity.

Kenya’s dominance in middle and long distance

Kenya has brought forth a powerhouse of talented Women across various distances, positioning itself as a formidable contender on the global stage.

• Mary MORAA (800m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Faith KIPYEGON (1500m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Beatrice CHEBET (5000m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Lilian Kasait RENGERUK (1500m) – Ranked 4th in the World
• Margaret Chelimo KIPKEMBOI (1500m) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Rosemary WANJIRU (Marathon) – Ranked 4th in the World
• Jackline CHEPKOECH (3000m steeplechase) – Ranked 2nd in the World
• Beatrice CHEPKOECH (3000m steeplechase) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Faith CHEROTICH (3000m steeplechase) – Ranked 7th in the World

How Shakira’s hit song #TryEverything inspired 3-time world record holder #FaithKipyegon https://t.co/dZbiM4ngfd via @Nairobi_News 1500m heat, 5000m #Budapest

— 𝕰 𝕺𝖕𝖎𝖑𝖔, ℰ𝓈𝓆. (@Eopilo) August 16, 2023

Ethiopia’s middle and long distance contenders

Ethiopia brings a strong contingent of middle and long-distance runners, each aiming to leave an indelible mark on the Championships.

• Hirut MESHESHA (1500m) – Ranked 7th in the World
• Birke Haylom (1500m) – Ranked 6th in the World
• Freweyni HAILU (1500m) – Ranked 2nd in the World
• Medina EISA (1500m) – Ranked 6th in the World
• Letesenbet GIDEY (10000m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Tsehay GEMECHU (Marathon) – Ranked 8th in the World
• Yalemzerf YEHUALAW (Marathon) – Ranked 7th in the World
• Amane Beriso SHANKULE (Marathon) – Ranked 6th in the World
• Gotytom GEBRESLASE (Marathon) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Ejgayehu TAYE (10000m) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Sembo ALMAYEW (3000m steeplechase) – Ranked 3rd in the World
• Zerfe WONDEMAGEGN (3000m steeplechase) – Ranked 6th in the World

Nigeria’s rising stars

Nigeria brings its own set of talented athletes ready to make their mark on the international stage.

• Tobi AMUSAN (PENDING AIU PROCESS) (100m Hurdles) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Ese BRUME (Long Jump) – Ranked 7th in the World

Uganda’s strong contenders

Uganda’s representatives are geared up to showcase their abilities on the track.

• Sarah CHELANGAT (5000m) – Ranked 8th in the World
• Halimah NAKAAYI (800m) – Ranked 4th in the World

African Men on the world stage

Kenyan domination

Kenya asserts its dominance in the sprinting arena with a stellar line-up of athletes.

• Ferdinand Omanyala (100m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Emmanuel WANYONYI (800m) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Jacob KROP (1500m) – Ranked 4th in the World
• Nicholas KIPKORIR (1500m) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Abraham KIBIWOT (3000m Steeplechase) – Ranked 3rd in the World
• Leonard Kipkemoi BETT (3000m Steeplechase) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Samuel Kireri GATHIMB (20km Race Walk) – Ranked 7th in the World

South Africa: sprinting excellence

South Africa boasts a formidable sprinting contingent, ready to impact the global stage.

• Akani SIMBINE (100m) – Ranked 2nd in the World
• Luxolo ADAMS (200m) – Ranked 22nd in the World
• Wayde VAN NIEKERK (400m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Zakithi NENE (400m) – Ranked 7th in the World

Wayde van Niekerk primed for @AthleticsSA_ medal charge at @WorldAthletics Championship@IOLsport @IOL #WorldAthleticsChamps #WABudapest23 #Athleticshttps://t.co/zdkpodUPHF

— Ashfak Mohamed (@ashfakmohamed) August 16, 2023

Botswana’s sprint phenomenon

Botswana’s athletes are geared up to dazzle in the sprinting events.

• Letsile TEBOGO (200m) – Ranked 3rd in the World
• Bayapo NDORI (400m) – Ranked 9th in the World
• Leungo SCOTCH (400m) – Ranked 11th in the World

Sprint showcases from Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Nigeria

• Arthur CISSÉ (100m) – Ivory Coast – Ranked 31st in the World
• Emmanuel ESEME (100m) – Cameroon – Ranked 14th in the World
• Favour Oghene Tejiri ASHE (100m) – Nigeria – Ranked 50th in the World
• Usheoritse ITSEKIRI (100m) – Nigeria – Ranked 37th in the World
• Seye OGUNLEWE (100m) – Nigeria – Ranked 59th in the World

Uganda’s distance triumphs

Uganda’s athletes are poised for success in middle and long-distance events.

• Tarsis Gracious OROGOT (200m) – Ranked 19th in the World
• Joshua CHEPTEGEI (10000m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Jacob KIPLIMO (10000m) – Ranked 2nd in the World

Liberia, Zambia, Algeria, and Morocco

• Joseph FAHNBULLEH (200m) – Hailing from Liberia, Joseph Fahnbulleh proudly holds the 8th rank on the global stage in the 200m event.

• Muzala SAMUKONGA (400m) – Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga stands strong as the 2nd ranked athlete worldwide in the fiercely competitive 400m event.

• Slimane MOULA (800m) – Slimane Moula from Algeria has carved his name as the 6th best in the World in the challenging 800m race, showcasing his impressive capabilities.

• Djamel SEDJATI (800m) – Djamel Sedjati, also from Algeria, secures an impressive 3rd rank on the global leaderboard in the demanding 800m discipline.

• Yasser Mohammed TRIKI (Triple Jump) – In the captivating domain of the triple jump, Algeria’s Yasser Mohammed Triki stands tall in the 7th position, making his nation proud.

• Soufiane EL BAKKALI (3000m Steeplechase) – Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali holds the esteemed 1st rank in the challenging 3000m steeplechase, demonstrating his mastery in this discipline and elevating Morocco’s athletic prowess.

Ethiopia’s distance mastery

Ethiopia solidifies its legacy as a distance-running powerhouse.

• Berihu AREGAWi (1500m) – Ranked 1st in the World
• Yomif KEJELCHA (1500m) – Ranked 6th in the World
• Telahun Haile BEKELE (1500m) – Ranked 3rd in the World
• Berihu AREGAWI (10000m) – Ranked 7th in the World
• Selemon BAREGA (10000m) – Ranked 5th in the World
• Tamirat TOLA (Marathon) – Ranked 3rd in the World
• Tsegaye GETACHEW (Marathon) – Ranked 7th in the World
• Getnet WALE (3000m Steeplechase) – Ranked 2nd in the World
• Abrham SIME (3000m Steeplechase) – Ranked 6th in the World

In anticipation of the World Athletics Championships, African athletes are set to dazzle on the global stage. From sprinting to distance running, their prowess promises an unforgettable showcase.

Photo Credits:

Wayde Van Niekerk: Getty Images 

Faith Kipyegon: Let’sRun

ABOUT PROTOUCH AFRICA

PROTOUCH AFRICA is a purpose-driven and for-profit Sports Tech, business founded in 2016 with the purpose to enable African Athletes to perform on the World Stage. It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

 

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes, by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans and the brands that support them.