Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Stanley Magut
28 May 2011
AFRICAN 10,000m champion Wilson Kiprop had to overcome stiff challenge to win on the first day of the Athletics Kenya and National Bank of Kenya final weekend meeting yesterday at Kamariny Stadium in Iten.
Kiprop who crossed the line in 28:55.98 minutes narrowly edged out Kenneth Kipkemoi who finished second in 28.55.96 after the duo unleashed a scintillating kick from the 200m mark. World junior 10,000m bronze medallist Paul Lanyang’ata came third in 29:37.2. Kiprono Kurgat (30:09.9), Robert Chemoson (30:19.4) and Paul Chirchir (30:23.9) followed in that order. The highly paced race saw the three exchanging leads in a pack of seven, making it difficult to predict the winner.
After seven kilometers of the mouth-watering battle, the race was reduced to between Kiprop, Kipkemoi and Lanyang’ata who commanded the race. At one point Lanyang’ata was left trailing by 300m.
At the bell the crowd went into frenzy as Kiprop and Kipkemoi fought shoulder to shoulder before the final 200m when Kiprop attacked to kill Kipkemoi at the tape. “This was the toughest battle I have ever encountered,” a heavy breathing Kiprop uttered after the race. “Was it not for my experience, I could have been floored.”
Kiprop has already hit the qualifying mark for the world championships in Daegu, South Korea. He revealed his aim now was to train to ensure a podium finish in South Korea.
He already has an impressive 27.26.07 posted at the 2010 African championships in Nairobi. “I had already qualified but I was using this event as a build up for the world championships. You know you cannot relax just because you have made it, you have to train harder.” he said.
In the 1,500m women final world youth champion Nelly Jebet floored her competitors to win the race in 4:28.6 while Edna Moneria settled for second in 4:30.6. “Though it is hard to post impressive times here I am determined to make the team to the world championships because there is still a chance at the districts and provincial competitions” Jebet said. No athlete met the 1,500m Daegu qualifying time of 4:05.90.
Elkana Kibet romped home first in the men’s 1,500m heat one in a time of 3:50.00 while Elijah Kipchirchir came second in 3:52.1.
Elvis Kipng’etich won the 1,500m men’s heat two in 3:53.2 to book a place at the finals tomorrow. He was followed by Nathan Saimo in 3:56.00 with Moses Tariban finishing third in 3:59.00.
Athletes will be chasing the13:20.00 and 15:14.00 qualifying marks for the 5,000m men and women’s races respectively while the 800m bigwigs will be targeting the 1:45.40 and 1:59.80 men and women’s times respectively.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Continued here:
Kenya: Kiprop Prospers