It’s David versus Goliath in Shanghai Diamond League today

Kenyan Brimin Kiprop Kipruto celebrates after winning the Men 3000M Steeple event at the Memorial Ivo Van Damme Diamond League meeting, at the King Baudouin stadium (Boudewijnstadion/ Stade Roi Baudouin) in Brussels,  AFP PHOTO

Huge dreams await as Kenya’s world beating stars line up for second leg of the IAAF Diamond League Meeting at Shanghai Stadium here this afternoon.

The track’s big wigs eye good shows as they aim to return in August for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

As is always the tradition, the Shanghai meet has assembled the best field with men’s 3,000 steeplechase race boasting all Kenya’s best steeplechasers – save for three-time world champion Ezekiel Kemboi, who will kick off his 2015 Diamond League season in Eugene, Oregon, on May 27.

The showpiece, which comes up at 2:46pm Kenyan time, will no doubt evoke rivalries between the old and new crop of steeplechasers.

Former world and Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto (7:53.64) and former Olympic bronze medalist Paul Kipsiele Koech (7:54.31), who hold the world’s second and third all-time marks respectively, will lead the chase for the Diamond League silverware.

World silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto, who is on the comeback trail from injury, will anchor the young brigade that include Commonwealth Games silver medalist Jairus Kipchoge, Nicholas Bett (8:28.83), Festus Kiprono (8:56.2) and Hillary Yego (8:03.57).

“I am back but we will square it out. I hope to stage a good show this this year,” said Conseslus Kipruto.

Kipsiele, a perennial competitor at the IAAF Diamond League, said: “I welcome the stiff competition. I will strive to ensure that I make the national team to Beijing in August.”

world junior record

Silas Kiplagat, who ran a blistering 3:27.64 in Monaco last year, needs to be at his best to counter 2011 Diamond League winner Nixon Chepseba (3:29.77) and Commonwealth Games 1,500m silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi, who basks in a brilliant 3:28.81 world junior record.

Although Dutch-based Global Sports Communications –the organizers of the Shanghai meet –signed up world’s athletic top cream, the rainy weather conditions here seem to complicate it.

“We can run faster here but the problem is the rains. I will plan for the world record in future,” said Silas Kiplagat.

World and Commonwealth Games 800m champion Eunice Sum will once again take on her Janet Jepkosgei (1:56.04), the 2007 world champion, who will be eyeing her fifth stab at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

Sum (1:57.38) will be up against America’s Ludlow Molly, who has a season best of 2:01.09.

Two-time world cross country junior champion Viola Kibiwott (14:33.48) will duck it out with Irene Chebet Cheptai (14:50.99) and All Africa Games 1,500m champion Irene Jelagat (15:01.73).

US based Carvin Nkanata will carry his 20.14 season best time to the start line against Jamaica’s Ashemeade Nickel (20.25) and Aaron Brown (20.16) of Canada.

Ethiopia’s Alemu Birtukan Fente (16:02.29) and Burka Gelete (14:31.20) are also in contention.