Kenya: Injured Masai Out of Trials

Chris Musumba

13 July 2011

Nairobi — World 10,000m bronze medallist Moses Masai has pulled out of the national championship, citing a hip injury that has dogged his career for the last two years.Masai, who was fourth at the Beijing Olympics over the 10,000m distance, confirmed he will not try to improve on the bronze medal he won in Berlin in 2009.

“I have a hip joint injury, which I picked up last year. I have made several trips to Europe and Nairobi for treatment, but the injury has refused to go away.

“It limited my participation in international competitions and I will not be lucky to compete in the trials tomorrow,” he said.

However, he has singled out former world junior 10,000m champion Josephat Bett and World Half Marathon champion Wilson Kiprop to triumph during the trials. Kiprop will be running for the Kenya Prisons team.

Tight race

“Looking at how these athletes competed in Eugene in the Diamond League, it will be very hard to predict who will win.

“But my take is on Bett and Kiprop. They are two athletes that, given space, can destroy the opposition with their quick pace,” he said.

Kiprop, who has 27:26.93 time as his Personal Best, last competed for Kenya at the Africa championship, where he held out compatriot Geoffrey Mutai and Uganda’s Moses Kipsiro to clinch gold.

Kiprop will still renew his rivalry with Mutai, who has been named in the Kenya Police team, though he has indicated he will not be running for Kenya in Daegu, South Korea, during the World championship from August 27 to September 4.

However, there are other top names to consider in the 10,000m event, especially from Japan.

According to Japan-based coach Stephen Mayaka, at least 10 Kenyans based in the Asian economic giant will be rolling up their sleeves as they head home to seek tickets to the world championships.

World Cross Country silver medallist in the 12km event, Paul Tanui and Biden Karoki lead the Japan brigade for the trials.

The two are currently enjoying top form, with Tanui having already run 26:50.63 over the distance in Eugene, Oregon, in the Diamond League.

Equally, Karoki has an impressive time of 27:11 minutes over the distance. He has also run 13:11 in 5,000m, making him one of the favourites for the 10,000m race.

The two will be joined by other Japan-based runners, including Josphat Ndambiri and former world 10,000m bronze medallist Martin Irungu Mathathi.

Throw in world 10km record holder Leonard Komon, World junior 10,000m silver medallist Clement Langat and John Thuo (27:22:00), Joseph Birech, Kenneth Kipkemoi, Benard Kitur, Henry Chirchir, Peter Kirui and matters become complicated.

In the 5,000m race, there will be no love lost as 60 athletes line up for the two automatic tickets on offer, with the third athlete having to wait for the coaches wild card to know their fate.

Organisers have decided to have the event starting with heats to cut down the huge number.

AllAfrica – All the Time