Tanzania: Kiplagat Races to Glory At National Meet

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Chris Musumba

18 July 2011

Nairobi — The show-stopper men’s 1,500 metres race has turned out to be a ferocious sprint that saw Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop stunned into second place by Commonwealth gold medallist Silas Kiplagat at the National Athletics Championships on Saturday.

The race was billed as the race of the championship, and the runners didn’t disappoint as the 14 finalists recorded the fastest time on Kenyan soil with Commonwealth Games champion Kiplagat winning in 3:31.39. “I have never doubted my sprinting. I was certain after the bell that I was going to make the team, but to be number one was not so easy. I have beaten the Olympic champion, I am so happy,” said Kiplagat.

It was a confirmation that faster times attained abroad counted for nothing as several egos were crashed, ambitions shattered and pain written all over the faces of athletes when the curtains came down at the National Championships used to select two teams: one to the World Championship in Daegu, South Korea, next month and the other for the All Africa Games in Maputo in September.

In the four-lap race, there was no place for World Indoor 1,500m bronze medallist Haron Keitany, who was making a comeback after a calf strain injury. He was not even man enough to finish the tough 1,500m race dropping out in the final lap.

Nixon Chepseba, the fastest man this season, was also routed after failing to fifth place in 3:33.96 but was salvaged through the coach’s wild card. But it was not the same for World Junior Champion Caleb Mwangangi, who was only good enough for the fourth place, while Augustine Choge paid the prize for pacing as he came in seventh in 3:36.91, beating only World Military Games champion, Gideon Gathimba.

As usual, there was a slot for Olympic champion, Kiprop, who took the challenge in his wide strides literally, emerging from behind in the final 250 metres to stake second place behind winner Kiplagat.

Former World Indoor 1,500m silver medallist Daniel Kipchirchir Komen was third. Kiplagat posted the fastest time on the Kenya soil of 3:31.39 to beat Kiprop to second in 3:32.26 while Kipchirchir was third in 3:32.47.

“I was planning for this race and when I saw them push the pace, I welcomed it. I realized my mistake when I was boxed at the Africa championship but now am happy to beat the Olympic champion for the first time,” said Kiplagat. However, Kiprop took the loss in his stride and said he was yet to run faster than the 3:30 mark and was surprised the race was that fast.

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