Asbel Kiprop wins the 3000 in Turin (© Lorenzo Sampaolo)
The Kenyan trials for the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 Aug to 2 Sep) offer a very tough selection procedure.
There will be no room for mistakes or a second chance during the single day competition at the Nyayo National Stadium, down town Nairobi on Saturday (27).
Athletics Kenya has invited 210 athletes to fight for 25 places in the Osaka bound team and for the first time in years, upsets galore are expected as there are many hugely talented junior waiting to upset the status quo.
Third time lucky for Kiprop
In pure times World Junior Cross Country champion Asbel Kiprop is on paper no match for established 1500m runners such as Alex Kipchirchir, Daniel Komen Kipchirchir, Shadrack Korir, Augustine Choge…. However, he has all the enthusiasm and talent to create a stir as he did when winning the All Africa Games 1500m title last week.
Since the World XC in Mombasa, Kiprop has lost only twice. Once when coming 12th in the Athens Grand prix (in a PB of 3:35.81) and secondly in semis of the All Africa Games.
Rudisha brings more promise but still is to be confirmed
The 800m in comparison will be a long drawn battle between the veterans with All Africa Games bronze medallist Justus Koech more determined to beat the fastest Kenyan of this season Wilfred Bungei, the World Indoor champion. However, World junior champion David Rudisha who like Kiprop is only 18, already has a personal best of 1:45.10 from his win in malmo, though his participation has not yet been confirmed. Others in the field are Isamel Kombich and Gilbert Kipchoge.
Joseph Ebuya, a silver (10,000) bronze (5000) medallist at the Beijing World juniors is another youngster ready to mix it with his elders. Along with Leonard Komon, Kiprono Menjo, Jonas Cheruiyot, he goes in the 5000m.
Crowded 10,000m field
Japan-based runners led by World Half Marathon record holder Sammy Kamau Wanjiru, Martin Mathathi, Josphat Muchiri, Gideon Ngatuny, John Kamau, Moses Mosop, Robert Sigei and a host of others make the men’s 10,000m the toughest race of the day.
In the women’s competition, Commonwealth Games champion Janeth Jepkosgei is expected to stroll to victory in the 800m, while organisers have listed Vivian Cheruyiot who recently set a new national 5000m record of 14:22.51 in the 1500m.
It will also be interesting to see whether World junior 3000m champion Veronica Nyaruai Wanjuruwill make the grade in 1500m.
Peter Njenga (Kenya Times) for the IAAF
