Victorious in 2019 and 2020 at the London Marathon and holder of the world record for the distance in mixed race, Kenyan Brigid Kosgei was reserved on Friday on her chances of regaining her crown against Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who will aim for the doubled on Sunday.
“I was well prepared, but a few weeks ago I had pain in my hamstrings and in my knee,” Kosgei, 29, told a press conference. “I think the injury is not so serious anymore, that’s why I came here”, she added, but “the set is not easy, it is very tough and everyone wants to win, so we will all do our best on Sunday.
For her part, Yehualaw, who had beaten, in 2 hours 17 minutes and 26 seconds, last year another Kenyan, Joyciline Jepkosgei, crowned in 2021, assured that her preparation had “gone very well”. “I want to defend my title on Sunday and I’m ready to do my best. I’m in good shape,” she added. The competition will however be raised with the Kenyan Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, even that of the Dutch Sifan Hassan, gold medalist in the 5000 m and 10,000 m in Tokyo in 2020 and who will make her debut in the marathon.