Asbel Kiprop set for Doha comeback in 800m
Asbel Kiprop of Kenya wins the 1500m event at the IAAF Diamond League in the Qatari capital Doha on May 9, 2014. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Kiprop is the 2008 Olympics champion
- Kiprop has won both the 800m and 1500m in Doha, the former in 2011 and the latter at the last two editions.
After missing the World Relays due to a hamstring injury, World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop is set for a comeback at the Doha Diamond League meet on May 15.
Kiprop, who is also the 2008 Olympics champion, will face off with World 800m champion Mohammed Aman from Ethiopia in the 800m at the opening leg of the 2015 Diamond League series.
The two will battle it out with Botswana’s Amos Nigel, who won the overall 2015 Diamond League 800m title with victories in Eugene, Monaco and Zurich.
Last year, Kiprop won his 1500m specialty in a world lead time and meet record time of 3:29.18 while the Ethiopian clocked 1:44.49 to win the two-lap race.
Kiprop has won both the 800m and 1500m in Doha, the former in 2011 and the latter at the last two editions.
“I love competing in Doha where we know the conditions are always perfect and the competition excellent,” said Kiprop, who dismissed reports that he had declined to compete for Kenya after his management, Rosa Associati, were suspended for six months over doping scandals in the country.
Kiprop said he couldn’t have continued training with Kenya’s World Relay team after he felt some pain in his hamstring, similar to what he felt before the 2012 London Olympics.
“I consulted with the team management and we agreed that I should not aggravate the injury especially when I am preparing to defend my world title,” said Kiprop.
