Kipruto to lead Kenyas charge in 3,000m steeplechase
Philip Muchiri in Doha, Qatar
Defending champion Conseslus Kipruto will lead Kenya’s onslaught in the 3,000m men steeplechase semi final as the World Athletics Championships enters day five today.
Kipruto alongside others will take their place on the track at the Khalifa international Stadium in Doha, Qatar at 1815hrs.
Kipruto who pulled out of the race final at the All Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco before doing the same in the national trials, has had a difficult season only taking part in two Diamond League races finishing fifth in Paris and seventh in Brussels.
“Qualifying for the final is the most important thing during this semi, we know very well the first three across the line will automatically qualify but for me winning my heat is important so as to gain the confidence I need in the final,” the World champion told Citizen Digital.
His counterpart Benjamin Kigen is also optimistic of a good show following an explicit outing in Rabat where he was crowed the All Africa Games champion.
“Personally I’m ready; I have had a good season and I know my body is ready after the diamond league meetings; this is a championship and we don’t have pace setters so it’s every one for himself and God for all of us,” said Kigen.
Other Kenyans in the race are Abraham Kibiwot and Leonard Kipkemoi.
In the men’s 400m heats, national champion Alphas Kishoiyan will be hoping to forget the unfortunate 4×400 mixed relay outing on day two when he failed to qualify for the semi finals from heat one. Akeem Bloomfied of Jamaica with a personal best 43.94 will also be participating in the race.
“My focus is to qualify for the next stage then plan for the rest from the time I qualified I have been waiting for this day,” he affirmed.
Emmanuel Kipkurui Korir will be another Kenyan in the race running in heat six. Korir, 24, boasts of the Indoor World Record for 600 metres set in 2017, and he is ranked as the sixth fastest athlete over 800m of all time, with a personal best of 1:42.05.
Doha Day Five Diary
1635hrs: Men’s 400m heats
1650hrs: High Jump final
1815hrs Men’s 3000m Steeplechase heats
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