Kenya: I Am Back, ‘Land Cruiser’ Warns As Cheboi, Obiri And Jelagat Prove Mettle

Chris Musumba

14 July 2011

Nairobi — With half of the 20 fastest men over the 1,500 metres race this season, the four-lap race in Kenya’s national trials have been dubbed a mini World Championship, attracting at least 52 competitors.

And after Thursday’s qualifying hits, World Indoor 800m bronze medallist Haron Keitany has emerged as the athlete to beat as he seeks to reclaim lost ground after two years of battling a career-threatening injury.

“Land Cruiser” llowed his opponents to beat him into third place in his heat but cautioned the chocked 1,500m field that he is back to take care of unfinished business after he was ruled out of the Worlds semi-final in Berlin in 2009 with a stress fracture injury.”That was the worst moment in my career. It has been a long struggle to regain fitness and now I have only one message to my rivals: Prepare for war, I am back to finish off what I had started in Berlin,” he said.

Keitany registered three minutes 42.1 seconds behind Collins Cheboi (3:40.9) of Administration Police and former World Indoor silver medallist Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:41.8), also making a comeback from injury, while fourth-placed World Military Games champion Gideon Gathimba (3:43.3) was eliminated.

Keitany’s threats will however not cow Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop, who is eyeing his first gold medal without any controversy in Daegu. Kiprop was second to Rashid Ramzi in Beijing Olympics but was belatedly crowned after the Bahrainian tested positive for drugs and lost his title.

“Being number three in this championship will not be of any use. For me, it is the World Championship or nothing,” said Kiprop, who is also the All Africa Games champion.Kiprop clocked 3:44.4 to lead Nicholas Kemboi (3:44.6) and Nicholas Kipchumba (3:44.8) on Thursday.

“To make the team to Daegu will be really hard. Pressure is on me to do well in this championship but this is how things in this race are. It is never easy and I have to give it my best shot. But if I do not make the team I will not be going to Maputo.”

Nixon Chepseba, who holds the world lead time of 3:31.42 this season, easily won heat two in 3:44.7, edging out World Junior champion Caleb Mwangangi (3:45.0) in the final sprint, with Bethwel Birgen (3:45.1) third. In the first heat, former Commonwealth 5,000m champion Augustine Kipchoge won in 3:44.5, ahead of Silas Kiplagat (3:44.7), the Commonwealth 1,500m champion and last season’s fastest athlete, and James Tenai (3:45.0).

Secured first victory against Lagat

In the women’s race, Hellen Obiri, who has been an understudy to Olympic champion Nancy Jebet Lagat, finally secured her first victory against the Kenya Defence Forces athlete to win the second semi-final in 4:17.6.

Lagat, slowed in her final sprint, having realised that she has qualified for the finals, crossed the line in 4:17.8 ahead of Nancy Jepkemoi (4:18.2) and Joyce Chepkirui (4:18.3) with Japan-based Ann Karindi (4:18.5) in fifth. She said: “I have to check out on my knee. It is still troublesome and I have to take it slowly. I will talk more after the finals.”

In the first semi-final, Irene Jelagat again showed her prowess on the local circuit, winning in 4:14.7 to win ahead of Viola Jelagat Kibiwot (4:15.0) as Tabitha Wamboi (4:15.4) came third, edging out Mary Wangare (4:17.6).

Callen Nyakawa won the first 400m hurdles heat in 59.8 seconds, ahead of Franscisca Koki (61.1) of Kenya Police, Georgina Mbinya (61.6) and Rebecca Jepkemboi (64.0). Africa 400m hurdles bronze medallist Maureen Jelagat (58.4) comfortably took the second with Ednah Kwamboka (61.4), Tabitha Mwihaki (63.9) and Pauline Cheyech (64.2) in tow.

AllAfrica – All the Time