Kenya's world 800m bronze medallist Kipyegon Bett was unable to compete in the national trials and may miss the Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

Kenya’s world 800 metres bronze medalilst Kipyegon Bett will need a wild card if he is to compete at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast after dropping out of the national trials at Kasarani because of a reported toe injury.

World and double Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha, the silver medallist at Glasgow 2014, has also missed the trials because of a longer term injury.

In the absence of these two experienced runners, three relatively unknown athletes took their chance to qualify for Gold Coast 2018, due to take place between April 4 and 15, by earning automatic qualifying places on a day of baking heat.

Jonathan Kitilit won in 1min 44.2sec, with Wycliffe Kimanyal and Cornelius Tuwei taking second and third places in 1:44.6 and 1:44.8 respectively.

The women’s 800m produced a surprise result as the 2001 World Youth 800m champion Emily Cherotich won in 1:58.1, a Kenyan All-comers’ record, ahead of Rio 2016 bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera Wambui, second in 1:59.4.

Elijah Manangoi, who beat fellow Kenyan Timothy Cheruiyot to the 1500m gold medal at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in London last year, had to give best to his training partner in the 1500m trial.

Cheruiyot won in 3:34.01, with Manangoi second in 3:35.01 and world under-20 champion Kumari Taki third in 3:35.05.

"My child has been admitted in hospital with a fever and that affected my mental strength as I was affected psychologically," said Manangoi.

His younger brother, world under-18 1500m gold medalist George Meitemei Managoi, was fourth in a personal best of 3:35.08.

"After winning silver in last year’s World Championships, this time around I will be happy if I get gold," said Cheruiyot.

Margaret Nyairera Wambui, the Rio 2016 800m bronze medallist, was beaten at the Kenyan trials but second place earned her place at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in April ©Getty Images
Margaret Nyairera Wambui, the Rio 2016 800m bronze medallist, was beaten at the Kenyan trials but second place earned her place at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in April ©Getty Images

Three Commonwealth champions were not asked to take part in the trials - 1500m gold medallist Faith Kipyegon, the world and Olympic champion, and 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono, plus James Magut, winner of the men's 1500m in Glasgow.

Three other of Kenya's champions from Glasgow 2014 will also be missing as they did not register in time.

They are Caleb Mwangangi, winner of the men's 5,000m, and Joyce Chepkirui and Flomena Cheyech, gold medallists in the 10,000m and marathon respectively.

Edward Zakayo, the world under-18 silver medallist, won the 5,000m trial in 13:28.02.

David Bett, the 2010 world junior 5000m champion, finished third in 13:34.07 behind second placed Nicholas Kipkorir, who clocked 13:32.07.

World junior 3,000m steeplechase record holder Celliphine Chepteek Chepsol won easily in 9:40.06.

World javelin silver medallist Julius Yego made sure he will defend his title at Gold Coast 2018 by winning with a throw of 73.43 metres.

Africa champion Samuel Gathimba returned 1:19.04 to emerge victorious in the men’s 20 kilometres walk.

The Delhi 2010 20km women’s walk race bronze medalist Grace Wanjiru won in 1:38.22.

World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri is assured of a wild card, however, as she is focusing on the IAAF Indoor Tour and aims to compete at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham from March 1 until 4.