KING DAVID RULES

By GILBERT WANDERA

World Youth 800m Champion Leonard Kosencha was the main casualty of the Athletics Kenya mini-trial as he finished last in his heat ending his Olympic ambition.

The 18-year-old has been primed as a heir apparent to the legendary David Rudisha, the World champion, but a tactical error cost him the chance to compete at the main trials tomorrow.

Rudisha, the world 800m record holder (1:41.01), had the easiest of tasks winning in his heat in a time of 1:44.0.

The world champion led from start to finish in the two-lap race and did not appear to struggle and at the end of it, registered the fastest time of the day.

“I’m just glad to have made it to the final. It was not an easy race today, though nobody threatened my superiority. Now I can look forward to Saturday’s final,” said Rudisha.

Though Rudisha had an easy run to victory, it was not so for Commonwealth Games champion Boaz Lalang, who failed to make it among the qualifiers, which ended his Olympic hopes.

Former World champion Alfred Yego also qualified for tomorrow’s final after clocking 1:46.2

The rest of the qualifiers for Saturday’s final are, Anthony Chemut 1:45.3, Nicholas Kiplangat (1:46.4), Timothy Kitum (1:44.3), Abraham Chirchir (1:45.00), Richard Kiplagat (1:45.9) and Job Kinyor (1:45.6).

 

World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop and World silver medallist Silas Kiplagat will renew their rivalry on Saturday, the second time the duo will be meeting in as many months. Kiplagat had beaten Kiprop in Doha Diamond League in May.

Kiprop won his heat in a time of 3:49.1 while Kiplagat finished second in his heat clocking 3:44.3. Nixon Chepseba had finished first in a time of 3:44.1. Kiprop’s heat was the slower of the two and the world champion said his major concern was making it to tomorrow’s final.

“I decided to take it easy and run at a pace that was comfortable for me and so the timing was not so important. Tomorrow is the big day and I expect a tougher, faster race,” he said.

Kiprop’s time was one of the slowest among those who qualified for tomorrow’s final. Others who have qualified include, Vickson Polonet, Gideon Githiomba, David Bett, James Magut, Collins Cheboi, Vincent Mutai, Caleb Mwangangi and Bethwel Birgen.

Former World champion Eliud Kipchoge was second in his heat after clocking 13:24.6 and was among the 13 who qualified for tomorrow’s final.

Isaiah Koech won here in a time of 13:24.1. Other qualifiers include, Timothy Kiptoo, Jacob Chesari, Mark Kiptoo, Edwin Soi, Vincent Yator, William Malel, Vincent Chepkok, Godfrey Kipsang, John Kipkoech, Mike Kigen and Geoffrey Kirui.

The men 3,000m steeplechase will now proceed to the straight final and was not run yesterday due to low entry.  AK Treasurer Joseph Kinyua, who is the team manager for Athletics squad at the Olympics said he expect a stiff challenge in all races on Saturday.