News14 Jul 2011


No surprises as Daegu trials begin in Nairobi – Kenyan champs, Day 1

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Asbel Kiprop in the opening round of the Kenyan Trials (© Stafford Ondego/The Standard)

Nairobi, KenyaDay 1 (14) of the National Bank Kenya National Championships proved to be a stroll in the park for big names as they took the chance to size up the competition ahead of the latter stages on Friday and Saturday.


The event which kicked off at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday will be used to select the rest of Kenya’s line-up for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, Korea (27 August to 4 September) as well as the country’s athletics team to the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique (3-18 September).


There is no doubt that the first day of action acted as a sparring contest for established runners as some of the chaff was cast aside.


Kiprop cautiously confident


Both Olympic 1500m champions, Asbel Kiprop and Nancy Langat, won and came second in their respective heats, with the men’s titleholder taking his in 3:44.4 as his women’s equivalent trailed Defence Forces team mate, Helen Obiri (4:17.6) across the line in 4:17.8.


“This is the year that Kenya will win the men’s 1500m gold at the World Championships,” Kiprop said. “I believe the team that will be selected, and I want to be in it, will bring the title home. There are about nine of us who are capable and the final will be tough.”


“My knee injury is still bothering me and I had to warm-up straight after the race. The final will be difficult but my aim first is to qualify for Daegu then hope to be fully recovered for the finals in the month between,” Langat revealed.


The pick of the action was in no doubt the men 1500m and 5000m preliminaries as the sizeable crowd was left to behold what will transpire at the deciders.


Kiprop was among the eight Kenyans in the 2011 world list top 30 in the 1500m who booked their slots in the semis from the four heats contested.


Augustine Choge, the 5000m Commonwealth champion in 2006, won his race in 3:44.5 with Commonwealth titleholder Silas Kiplagat following him home in 3:44.7 as Administration Police runner, James Tenai (3:45.0) took third.


“I like it when the competition is this tough and I’m confident I will be among the two automatic qualifiers for Daegu then after that, I will travel to Monaco where I made my name last year and try to run a world lead,” Kiplagat, who announced his coming to the high altar of men 1500m with his blistering 3:29.27 world lead last year in the Mediterranean principality, said.


Then it was the turn of 2011 world leader, Nixon Chepseba (3:44.7) to make graduated World junior titleholder, Caleb Mwangangi (3:45.0) the bridesmaid as Bethwel Birgen trooped in a close third in 3:45.01 in Heat 2.


Collins Cheboi (number 26 in 2011) topped his preliminary in 3:40.9 ahead of former Commonwealth champ, Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:41.8) and returning 2008 African gold winner, Haron ‘Land cruiser’ Keitany (3:42.1).


“Yes, I’m back to finish the job that I left in Berlin. A lot of things have changed since the last time I was around and this season, I have raced sparingly, in two Diamond League meetings and another two world challenge events to minimise the risk of injury,” Keitany said.


The runner who snapped his right ankle on the eve of the Berlin Worlds medal race added, “The line-up is challenging but I will be there, my time has finally come.”


Kipchoge vying for fifth straight World champs appearance


Olympic and Worlds silver medallist, Eliud Kipchoge, who has had an uninterrupted run in the men’s 5000m team since bagging the global title in Paris 2003 faces one of the harshest examinations in his quest to make it five in a row.


Such is the depth of the cast in the men’s 12 and a half lap race that the meeting had a record three heats to get the finalists!


Kipchoge (13:34.2) was third in the third heat won by Africa silver winner, Vincent Yator (13:33.8) with Berlin finalist, Thomas Longosiwa (13:34.1) in second.


Isaiah Koech, the world 3000m junior champion and No. 2 in the 2011 list (12:54.59) won the first in 13:29.3 as another youngster hoping to break into the senior squad, Jacob Chesari 13:39.3 took top honours in the second.


Rudisha shows no strain


Ahead of the 800m first round races that completed the day’s activities, World record holder David Rudisha, who was flanked by Commonwealth champion Boaz Lalang and coach Bro Colm O’Connell said, “I twisted my right ankle in training slightly on Monday and I feel a lot of pain. I would not mind running 2:00 just to make through the final.”


However, his form is so imposing at the moment and he proved it when he coasted to the semis ahead of the pack in 1:46.65 during his heat.


Joining him were Lalang, World silver winner Alfred Kirwa Yego, Africa bronze winner Jackson Kivuva and World junior champion David Mutinda.


Jepkorir makes comeback


Since winning silver at the Beijing Olympics, Eunice Jepkorir who was at the throes of stamping her authority on the women’s water and barrier races decided to take maternity leave.


The preliminaries on Thursday marked the first time she has raced a 3000m Steeplechase race since and after leading the second heat for most of the seven and a half laps, she trailed at the bell and just lunged to the line to finish in the fourth and last final automatic qualifying slot for the final.


“It feels good to be back and my aim is to take each race one at a time,” she stated. Spouse Josphat Kiprono Menjo (13:45.4) will also contest the men 5000m final as one of the fastest losers after finishing sixth in Heat 3.


World leader Milcah Chemos still remains unbeaten after fulfilling her favourite role in the other preliminary.


Who will join Masai in Daegu? Day 2 expected Highlights


The women’s 10,000m final will mostly be a competition to select three athletes who will join Worlds titleholder Linet Masai on the Daegu roster.


But matters have been made more intriguing with fellow 5000m Berlin gold winner Vivian Cheruiyot opting to seek qualification in the longer race as she plots a double assault in Korea.


“How I perform in this race will inform my decision whether to go for the two races in Korea,” Cheruiyot, who will not compete in her speciality here, stated.


The last time the pair clashed on home soil was during the Trials for the Punta Umbria World Cross Country Championships where Masai stole the headlines before Cheruiyot turned tables in Spain for her first senior women 8Km title.


Since then, their rivalry has taken a Tirunesh Dibaba- Meseret Defar outlook and the intention of Cheruiyot to dethrone Masai, who was not impressed at being denied the top World Cross medal for a third year in a row, as the Kenyan 10,000m champion will only stoke more embers to the fire.


“The entry of Cheruiyot has complicated our chances,” the 2006 World Cross junior champion, Pauline Korikwiang stated.


Lineth Chepkurui, who was denied a place at the Berlin Worlds after competing at that year’s Peach Tree 10K Road Race upon selection said, “I have not gone to any road race and I have the qualifying time. Tomorrow (Friday), it’s just to confirm.”


Mutwiri Mutuota (Capital FM) for IAAF


- Day 2 highlights -


Morning session

20km women walk final

1500m women semi finals

1500m men semi finals


Afternoon

800m women semi finals

800m men semi finals

10,000m women final


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