Coach Kirwa backs Kenyans to beat Doha heat

National athletics team head coach Julius Kirwa has assured Kenya’s runners still back at home that they is nothing to fear regarding the said punishing weather here in Doha as the 17th edition of the World Athletics championship enters day two in Doha, Qatar.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after the three opening events in Day one on the track, Kirwa says athletes who took part in 800m Women’s, 3000m women’s steeplechase and 5000m men all expressed satisfaction with the temperatures.

“We have been here for some time and yes it is tough, who told you all these athletes here have trained in conditions like this, weather changes and no matter what we are going to run, we have a way of managing this,” Kirwa said.

“Despite the sun rising early by 4:00am it is not very hot, and in the evening at around 6:00pm, so let them came here we plan on how to conquer the world,” he added.

Kenyans will take part in four more events on Saturday, starting with the men’s 800m heats where Ng’eno Kipngetich, Emmanuel Kikurui Korir and Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich will be kenya’s flag bearers in the race that begin at 17:10.

Two hours later the 2013 world champion Eunice Sum returns to the Khalifa International stadium in the 800m Semi finals before the 4X400 metres relay mixed team take to the field.

5000m women’s defending Champion Hellen Obiri will lead Rosemary Wanjiru and Agnes Jebet Tirop in Kenya’s attempt to win the 10,000m title, efforts that have been given a major boost due to the withdrawal off defending Champion Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana after failing to get a visa.

Two more medal prospects from Ethiopia will also not be showcasing their talent here in Doha as 1,500m specialist Genzebe Dibaba is out with ana injury same as Habitam Alemu Bayih of 800 meters.

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IAAF World Championships

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