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The Nairobian

SURVIVAL FOR THE FITTEST: Athletes to battle for honours as national trials start

Football

By JONATHAN KOMEN | Jul 30, 2015

TOPSHOTS Kenya's Birech Jairus Kipchoge (2L), Kenya's Muia Jonathan Ndiku (3L), Morocco's Chemlal Jaouad (L), Ethiopia's Dette Kemal Nesredin (2R), Kenya's Kamboi Ezekeil (R) compete in the men's 3,000m Steeplechase during the 19th Africa senior Championships in Athletics on August 12, 2014 in Marrakesh. AFP PHOTO / FADEL SENNA

Two-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will lead the battle for tickets to the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships at the iconic Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing, China from August 22-30.

Asbel, who struck silver at the magnificent stadium in 2008 and later crowned it with gold medal in a boardroom decision after Algeria’s Rashid Ramzi failed drug test, is keen to prove his mettle at the national athletics trials that start at Kasarani Stadium tomorrow.

The two-day showpiece, which has seen Athletics Kenya draft a list of qualifiers for the World Championships and the All Africa Games set for Congo Brazaville in September, will certainly evoke fireworks in the men’s 1,500m battle in which Kenya has produced some of the fastest runners in the world this season.

Asbel, who celebrated his 26th birth day on June 30, will carry to the races the 3:26.69 best mark he posted at the IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Monaco this month.

“I missed the world record in Monaco and I was not disappointed. I hope to make it in another competition, but I really want to make the team to Beijing (China) and defend the title.”

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“I want to strike a hat-trick in world championships, but more importantly, I want to have the national anthem played in the stadium especially after I missed that in 2008,” said Asbel.

He, however, said those in the qualifiers’ list have the potential to make the team.

“We have very strong 1,500m runners this season and I think anybody in the start list (who has attained 3:36.20 for Worlds and 3:39 for All Africa Games) can make it to Beijing,” said Asbel.

He will compete against 2011 world 1,500m silver medallist Silas Kiplagat (3:30.12), Commonwealth Games champion James Magut (3:31.76), silver medallist Ronald Kwemoi (3:30.40), Collins Cheboi (3:31.88) and Bethwel Birgen (3:31.22).

Hillary Cheboi (3:35.40), Timothy Cheruiyot (3:34.24) and former World Indoor champion Augustine Choge (3:35.51) will also contest.

At the same time, two-time Olympic and three-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi will be out to make amends as he returns to Birds Nest Stadium where he posted his worst performance in the water and barriers race at the Olympic Games in 2008, when he finished seventh.

Kemboi, who comes from Matira Village near Kapsowar, is keen to enter the annals of history as the first man to win world championships four times.

His coach Moses Kiptanui has won the race three times.