Kumari Taki, Anthony Kiptoo plot for victory in the 1,500m final

Kenya's Kumari Taki (left) and Vincent Kipyegon take "selfies" at the Zawisza Stadium after Taki won his 1,500m semi-final at the World Under-20 Championships on July 19, 2016. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |

What you need to know:

  • Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider set the mark in 2004 Grosseto, Italy.
  • Taki, who won his semi-final heat in 3:47.14 on Tuesday, which was the slowest, said the heat times won’t determine the final.

IN BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND

World and Africa Youth 1,500m Kumari Taki and compatriot Anthony Kiptoo have laid down a strategy that will ensure a 1-2 podium finish in men’s 1,500m final at the World Under-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

“The only way out is to run with speed and let our opponents chase us,” said Taki, who is also the Commonwealth Youth 1,500m champion.

“Kiptoo and I have agreed on how we shall spread out our strength and when to kick,” he added.

Taki, who won his semi-final heat in 3:47.14 on Tuesday, which was the slowest, said the heat times won’t determine the final.

“The other heat in which Kiptoo raced was faster but the contestants struggled,” he said.

Taki, who boasts of personal best 3:36.38 from a championships record at the World Youth in Cali, Colombia last year, said with good weather the 12-year-old championship record of 3:35.53 could fall.

Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider set the mark in 2004 Grosseto, Italy.

“We ask Kenyans to pray for us,” said Taki.

Kiptoo, who also exuded confidence, said the onus is on them to uphold the standards set by their predecessors especially Jonathan Kiplimo, who won in the previous 2014 championships in Eugene, USA.

“We shall embrace team work. Personally, I won’t kick early like I did in the heats and ran out of gas,” said Kiptoo, who finished second in 3:44.74 behind Moroccan Sniba Ayoub in 3:44.59.

Besides Ayoub, Britain’s Josh Kerr, who finished third in heat one and Ethiopian Taresa Tolosa, who won heat three in 3:46.13, should give the Kenyans a good challenge.

KIPYEGON FIRED UP

World and Africa Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Vincent Kipyegon has rallied compatriot Amos Kirui ahead of Wednesday’s men’s 3,000m steeplechase semi-finals.

Nicholas Chirchir will be looking to atone for his fourth place finish at the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia last year.

Kipyegon and Kirui, who won silver in 2,000m steeplechase at Youth Olympics last year, said it will be vital if they both make it to the final.

“I just want to reach the final then know how to execute my game plan,”  said Kirui, who trains in Kuresoi. “I am hoping for the best.”

Kipyegon is out to uphold is steady steeplechase graph. “I just want to win the World title then focus on next year’s Africa junior title,” said Kipyegon, who finished fourth in 3,000m at Africa Junior Championships last year.

The Kenyans are up for a good challenge from their regional rivals Kidanemariam Dessie and Getnet Wale (Ethiopia) and Uganda’s Albert Chemutai.