Kenya: Relief As Chepseba is Granted a Wild Card

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

18 July 2011

Nixon Chepseba expressed relief after being handed a wild card in the men’s 1,500m event for the world athletic championships in Daegu next month. Chepseba was boxed out in a tight race that saw Silas Kiplagat win the race ahead of Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop with Daniel Kipchirchir Komen coming home third. “I crossed my fingers and hoped I would be selected and my prayers were answered,” Chepseba said.

Chepseba who has the fastest time in the world this year at 3:31.42 set in Shanghai was on the inner lane and was boxed in in traffic at the crucial sprint stage and said. He said he had learnt his lesson. “I must plan well and train harder to win the gold medal in Korea,” he noted.

Chepseba crossed the line fifth clocking 3:33.96 in a pulsating race which brought the crowd to its feet.

Chepseba described the trials as the toughest he has ever had to run in his career. “This was arguably one of the most difficult races I have ever had to run in my life. A wrong move can cost you,” he said. He feels the team is strong and is confident of medals in Daegu. “We have strong team. Myself, Kiprop and Kiplagat will work as a team to ensure we bring glory to the country,” he added.

Chepseba feels Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat will be the biggest threat followed by Ethiopian Mekonnen Gebremedhin and Moroccan Amin Lalou. “We have a competitive field in the 1,500m. Its important we have teamwork. If you look at the top guys, most have clocked 3:31 so it’s going to be a tough race,” Chepseba said.

Race winner Silas Kiplagat says he felt Kiprop was struggling in the final few metres and that encouraged him to go flat out. “I knew if it came to the last 100m I could outkick Asbel and that’s what I did,” Kiplagat said.

Kiplagat who has had a patchy season said he saved his best for the trials.

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