Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
William Njuguna
14 July 2011
THE search for air tickets to Daegu, South Korea, for the world championship officially starts today as Kenya’s athletics creme de la creme battle it out in the national trials with 30 tickets up for grabs.Today will basically be qualification round but such is the competition that the Nyayo Stadium will rock with sound as each heat will feel like a final.
Athletics Kenya have already outlined the cricteria for qualification at the event sponsored by National Bank.The first two across the line earn automatic tickets to Daegu while the third place ticket will be at the mercy of judges.The focus will be on world 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, who is set to double up by also running the 10,000m.
Cheruiyot, who is also the African and world cross country champion clocked 14:31.92 in winning the 5,000m in Shanghai this year and posted 31:07.02 over 10,000m in Ponte Vedra, USA. The 28-year-old has polished up on her finishing kick and she is quietly confident of retaining the title she won two years ago.
She will, however, face stiff opposition from reigning 10,000m champion Linet Masai. Cheruiyot has already beaten Masai in the cross country and will be the marginal favourite owing to her strong finishing kick.The two are expected to represent the country in the 10,000 with Cheruiyot also contesting the 5,000m. The remaining places in the 10,000m will be open for the likes of Lineth Chepkirui, Sally Chepyego and Commonwealth champion Grace Momanyi. Prisca Jepleting, Silvia Chebet and Mercy Cherono will be in the 5,000m. Monica Wangari and Peninah Arusei will be the other athletes to watch in the 25-lap race.
Former world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei’s form has dipped over the two years but she is expected to start as favourite. She clocked 1:59.85 in Oslo where she finished second and ran the 1,500m in Rome, where she clocked 4:04.87. With Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo out of contention with injury Winny Chebet with a time of 2:03.01, Jane Jelagat (2:03.01) and Eunice Sum are expected to push Jepkosgei all the way.
Olympic 1,500m champion Nancy Lagat is the overwhelming favourite for the four-lap race. Lagat posted 4:03.66 while winning at the Rome Diamond League meeting and will be tough to beat at Nyayo. Irene Jelagat and Tabitha Wamboi will be fighting for second and wildcard slots.Africa and Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Milcah Chemos is the favourite for her race. She will be looking to add the world crown to her impressive resume. Chemos has been in fine form on the Grand Prix circuit. In the men’s category, the 10,000m final will bring fireworks after the entry of Japan-based athletes. Paul Tanui and Biden Karoki will be hoping to set the track alight after their recent impressive performances. Others to watch include Clement Langat and John Thuo. Wilson Kiprop will be pre -race favourite .
The 3,000m steeplechase also promises thrills as world champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto, Africa champion Richard Matelong and Paul Kipsiele Koech battle for honours.Olympic 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop is the front runner for his specialty though Nixon Chepseba and former Africa champion Haroun Keitany have been on top of their game lately. World 800m record holder David Rudisha starts outright favourite for the 800m.
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