Kiprop feeling pressure to break World Record in Monaco
PHOTO | AFP Kenya's Asbel Kiprop celebrates after winning the men's 1500 metres final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on August 18, 2013. Kiprop will be targeting to break the world record of three minutes 26.00 seconds during the Monaco Diamond League on July 18, this year.
What you need to know:
- It’s during the Herculis (Monaco Diamond League) where the 2011 Daegu and 2013 Moscow World 1,500m gold medallist ran personal best 3:27.72 to make the grounds the most appropriate to attempt the World Record.
- Kiprop, who has been taking part in the Safaricom /Athletics Kenya Relays Series will also participate in the National Trials for the World Relays due April 26 at Kasarani.
Double World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop is under pressure to break the World Record at the Monaco leg of the Diamond League on July 18.
“I am facing pressure from people who believe I am capable of breaking the record and I feel the weight. I can’t wait for this day to be over and yes, it will be in Monaco,” said Kiprop.
It’s during the Herculis (Monaco Diamond League) where the 2011 Daegu and 2013 Moscow World 1,500m gold medallist ran personal best 3:27.72 to make the grounds the most appropriate to attempt the World Record.
His exploits at Herculis last year made the 24-year-old the fourth fastest man ever at the distance after World Record time of 3:26.00 that has stood since July 14, 1998 from Rome. The record is being held by Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco).
Kenya-born Bernard Lagat has the second fastest time of 3:26.34 from August 24, 2001 in Brussels, ahead of Noureddine Morceli (Algeria ) with 3:27.37 from July 12, 1995 in Nice.
“It’s not easy digging a sub 3:26 but I will try my best but it will also depend on several factors,” said Kiprop who is in a training camp in Iten.
“Sometimes when you do a workout on track and it didn’t work well as prescribed by coach you tend to think a lot, it’s not easy at all. Imagination, pressure, expectation and fear of the unexpected can affect someone,” said Kiprop, who won the 2008 Beijing Olympics 1,500m gold medal.
Kiprop, who has been taking part in the Safaricom /Athletics Kenya Relays Series will also participate in the National Trials for the World Relays due April 26 at Kasarani.
