Masai plans world double in Daegu
Kenya's world 10,000m champion Linet Masai said Thursday she hopes to
compete in a distance double at next month's world championships in
Daegu.
With her place guaranteed in the 10,000m, Masai stepped up her
campaign to be selected to run the 5,000m in the South Korean city, when
she comfortably won her semi-final race at the start of Kenyan trials on
Thursday.
"I hoping to double-up in Daegu. I feel my body is in good shape to
handle both races," said Masai, who beat the Berlin 5,000m silver
medallist Sylvia Kibet into second place.
Both athletes qualified for the final on Saturday.
The men's 1,500m looks set to be the most competitive event as a
number of athletes returned impressive times in the heats.
Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop conceded it would be hard to make the
team for Daegu after being forced to come from behind to win his race
ahead of Nicholas Kemboi in a sprint finish.
"I expect this to be the fastest trials ever and I am worried it will
not be easy to make the team," said Kiprop, who would need to finish
among the top three to gain a spot on the Kenyan world championships
team.
Collins Cheboi (3:40.9), Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:41.8), Haron
Keitany (3:42.1) and Gideon Gathimba (3:43.3) led the qualifiers for the
semi-finals, with the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games champions,
Augustine Choge (3:44.5) and Silas Kiplagat (3:44.7) also qualifying.
Olympic women's 1500m champion, Nancy Jebet Langat did not have to
struggle hard to finish second in her heat behind newcomer and team-mate
Helen Obiri in her qualifying race.
Former world junior champion Irene Jelagat ran the fastest time of
4:14.7 to lead the qualifiers for the semi-finals on Friday.
David Rudisha will be the big draw in the men's 800m. The world
record holder who led from the start to the finish in his first race at
home this season said he was looking forward to the world championships.
"I consider the world championships to be very important. That is why
it is also important for me to win the trials," said Rudisha, who
narrowly missed advancing to the finals in Berlin in 2009. AFP |
