Asbel Kiprop in the 3000m at the 14th edition of the Mauritius International Meet (© Clyde KOA WING)
Just one week after winning the World junior title at the 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, Asbel Kiprop, 18, was the main attraction of the 14th edition of the Mauritius International Meet held this Sunday (1) at the Maryse Justin stadium in Réduit.
For his first track competition since his World title, Asbel Kiprop, was the clear winner of the 3000m covering the distance in 8:02.16, the tenth fastest time of the current season, ahead of his country mate, and winner of the past edition’s 3000m, Issak Sang (8:13.44) as South Africa’s Alexander Motone completed the podium with 8:18.02.
“The World Cross Country Championships were really my first appearance on the international scene. I’m very happy about being here in Mauritius for this international meet and to clinch a second consecutive success this season”, said Asbel Kiprop.
“I felt very at ease during the race, but unfortunately, it was not possible for me to run faster as we haven’t done specific speed sessions with my coach yet. So I went through the whole race on one pace”, added Kiprop who has an eye of the next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
“It’s definitely clear that it will be very tough for me to be selected for the World Championships in Osaka as there are too many valuable runners in Kenya. I’m still young and I prefer to focus on the Olympic Games next year in Beijing. I sincerely hope to make it”, explained Asbel Kiprop who will as from now concentrate on the 1 500m for this season.
Buckland defeated
The big surprise of this year’s edition came during the 100m where for the first time since several years now, Stéphan Buckland, 30-year-old, was defeated. Actually, South Africa’s Lee Roy Newton clinched the victory by clocking 10.45 while Buckland finished second with 10.56.
“I’m very happy about this victory as Stéphan Buckland is a world class sprinter and therefore a very tough opponent. But, on the other side, I’m not quite satisfied concerning my performance as I really wanted to run even faster,” said Lee Roy Newton, who’s main objectives for this season are the All Africa Games in Algiers and the World Championships in Osaka with the 4x100m south African relay team.
In the High Jump event, the reigning African Champion, Botswana’s Kabelo Kgosiemang, had an easy win by jumping 2.20m. The second place came to Jean-Claude Rabbath (2.15m) from Liberia as Boubacar Sere for Burkina Faso completed the podium with 2.15m too.
Reynolds Quirin for the IAAF
Results
WOMEN
100m (wind: NM)
1. Feta Ahamada FRA 12.09
200m (wind: -0,6 m/s)
1. Olga Razanamalala MAD 25.52
400m
1. Estie Wittstock RSA 54.49
1500m
1. Gladys Kwambai KEN 4:38.23
High Jump
1. Nina Manga FRA 1.75m
Long Jump
1. Lauranne Osse FRA 6.23m (+1.7)
2. Margaret Simpson GHA 5.90m (-0.2)
Discus Throw
1. Lindy Leveau SEY 43.29m
Javelin Throw
1. Lindy Leveau SEY 54.09
MEN
100m (wind: 0,7 m/s)
1. Lee Roy Newton RSA 10.45
2. Stéphan Buckland MRI 10.56
3. Hammed Kasumu NGR 10.60
200m (wind: NM)
1. Stéphan Buckland MRI 21.2h
400m
1. Eric Milazar MRI 47.53
1500m
1. Yannick Noordine MRI 4:12.20
3000m
1. Asbel Kiprop KEN 8:02.16
2. Issak Sang KEN 8:13.44
3. Alexander Motone RSA 8:18.02
110m hurdles (wind: 1,3 m/s)
1. Gabriel Nosayaba NGR 14.74
400m Hurdles
1. Antonio Vieillesse MRI 52.29
High Jump
1. Kabelo Kgosiemang BOT 2.20m
2. Jean-Claude Rabbath LIB 2.15m
3. Boubacar Sere BKF 2.15m
4. Mikael Dias FRA 2.15m
Long Jump
1. Arnaud Casquette MRI 7.79m (0.0)
2. Yaw Fasu Amoah RSA 7.56m (+0.2)
Discus Throw
1. Elvino Pierrelouis MRI 45.05m
Javelin Throw
1. Soutoini Ali MAY 66.19m
