Kenya picks Berlin track team
World and Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto leads Richard Mateelong across the line in the steeplechase at Saturday’s New KCC national athletics trials at the Nyayo National Stadium. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN
Twice, the brutal Kenyan trails denied him the chance to take part in an international championship, but Paul Kipsiele Koech, the 2004 Athens Olympics bronze medallist in 3,000m steeplechase was one of the seven athletes handed the wild card to the Berlin World Championships in Athletics in August.
Koech could not break into the Beijing Olympic team despite having run the season best time of 8:00.57, but on Saturday, despite finishing sixth, he was granted a lifeline by the coaches’ selection panel and has his eyes set on the gold in Berlin.
He will team up with world and Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto, Richard Matelong, third in Osaka, and Ezekiel Kemboi. Making a debut at the global stage will be Africa 1,500m champion Haron Keitany.
The Eldoret based four lap runner has finally exhausted the ghost that saw him left out of Beijing trip and will have Olympic champion in waiting, Asbel Kiprop, and Augustine Choge (3:29.47), the world season leader to contend with.
Another bid
But world champion, Janeth Jepkosgei, might have answered her critics with solid run that reaffirmed her as the champion over the two lap distance over Pamela Jelimo, but the two will forge together another bid for the championship as the only representatives.
In the men team, David Rudisha gets his first shot at the global scene as a senior having ruled the roost in Beijing in 2006 as a junior.
He has his eyes cast on a challenge to another junior who have moved on, Abulbakar Kaki of Sudan. Rudisha was named together with world champion, Alfred Kirwa, and Jackson Kivuva.
The squad:
Women – Joyce Zakary (400m), Janeth jepkosgei, Pamela Jelimo (800m), Irene Jelegat, Nancy Jebet Lagat (1,500m), Ruth Bosibori, Gladys Kemboi, Milka Chemos (3,000m SC), Vivian Cheruiyot, Sylvia Kibet, Inness Chenonges (5,000m), Linet Masai, Florence Kiplagat, Grace Momanyi (10,000m), Julia Murage Mumbi, Martha Komu, Hellena Kiprop, Irene Limika, Risper Kimaiyo Jemeli (marathon).
Men - Mark Mutai (400m), David Rudisha, Alfred Kirwa, Jackson Kivuva (800m), Asbel Kiprop, Haron Keitany, Augustine Choge (1,500m), Brimin Kipruto, Richard Matelong, Ezekiel kemboi, paul Kipsiele Koech (3,000m SC), Vincent Kiprop Chepkok, Joseph Ebuya, Eliud Kipchoge (5,000m), Micah Kogo, Moses Masai, Bernard Kipyegon (10,000m), Daniel Rono, Emmanuel Mutai, Robert Cheruiyot, Benjamin Kiptoo, Abel Kirui (marathon).
