UoEm Student Qualifies for 2025 World Athletics Championships

George Mutinda Mutuku: a third year student at UoEm won the 400 m title at the National Athletics championships clocking 44.51s to qualify for World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo Japan from 13^th -21st September 2025.

George, who is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Security Studies, started his athletics journey as a first year in 2022 participating in 800m at the time. His coach, Mr. David Macharia who is also the Head of Sports and Games Department in the University, advised him to focus on 400m and 200m. His speed was impressive winning in regional and national university athletics meets. Following his exploits, he switched to 400m.

During the 2025 Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) athletics meet held in March 2025, he clocked 45.63 and qualified for World University Sports Federation (FISU) games currently being held in Germany. His participation in FISU games did not materialize as he would later qualify to join team Kenya for Tokyo, Japan.

On June 27, 2025, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, George ignited the track fire, clinching gold at the Athletics Kenya National Championships. Clocking 44.51 s, he led a Kenyan top-three sweep all under the World Championships qualifying standard of 44.85s marking the first time in eight years Kenya has qualified a full 400 m men’s team for World Athletics Championships. His electrifying performance crowned him Kenya’s 400 m champion and placed him at an impressive 97 in Global World Athletics Rankings.

George is currently training as he prepares to make his global debut at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo this September. He has not only etched his name in Kenyan sprinting history but has also spearheaded a historic resurgence in the men’s 400 m for the nation. Kenya is proudly sending a full-fledged 400 m men’s squad for the first time since 2017—and only the second time in history. With his breakneck start and unwavering determination, George Mutuku is Kenya’s sprinting icon, poised to shine where no Kenyan 400 m athlete has done before. Born in October 2001, in Masii, Machakos County, he was Initially a basketball guard. He draws inspiration from Usain Bolt, focusing intensely on starts and endurance. “This victory is a clear sign I can do much better,” he declared after bagging the National Championships medal.

PHOTO 1. George displays his 400m gold medal after winning Athletics Kenya National Athletics Trials for world Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo Japan from 13^th -21st September 2025.

Photo 2. George emphatically claims his victory at the Ulinzi Complex during the National Trials.

Photo 3. Mutinda in action during AK Betika Track and Field Weekend Meet Finals.