Cheruiyot braced for tougher battle at Doha Worlds

Philip Muchiri in Doha, Qatar

Timothy Cheruiyot said he expects a tougher battle in the 1500m semi-final after easing through during Thursday’s heats at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Cheruiyot and Ronald Kwemoi will be the only Kenya’s male representatives in the mile after George Manangoi dropped out in the heat, finishing 10th place.

“I am so happy am in the semi final which was my first target, now I turn my focus to the next stage where I predict the battle will be even tougher,” he said.

Without his training partner, the defending champion and Manangoi’s elder brother Elijah, he says that won’t cause him much trouble if he qualifies for the final.

“I truly miss him because he is my training partner, but I want to promise him am ready to make sure his title remains at home,” he added.

Also in heat two was Kumara Taki who failed to make the cut after finishing ninth, in a time of 3:37.98.

Kwemoi made the cut despite finishing seventh in heat three taking one of the fastest losers’ positions in 3:36.66.

“It was not a bad race but they was a lot of pushing, that has caused some Kenyan’s not to make the team but I and Timothy will fight for Kenya,” he said.

In the women’s 1,500m final defending Champion Faith Chepngetich and Winny Chebet will fly high the Kenyan Flag in Saturdays Final, despite their close shave in the yesterdays semi final.

Chepngetich finished fourth in heat one in a time of 4:14.98, while Chebet finished fifth in heat two in a time of 4:01.14.

“Today’s race was so difficult, and I pray to God that we are in good form to win a medal in the final, I made a similar mistake by boxing myself in the inner lane but that will change in the final,” Chebet said.