Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Kipsiele in Moscow-bound team

BY JONATHAN KOMEN

Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi will head to Moscow seeking a third world title in the water and barriers race.

 Competing confidently yesterday, Kemboi showed he is the king pin in Moscow team with Abel Mutai, Conseslus Kipruto and Paul Kipsiele Koech serving as the silver lining in the men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase – often billed as Kenya’s undisputed track speciality.

 Kemboi’s jig, his entertainment theatrics and mohawk hairstyle, have never betrayed his intentions as he did yesterday.

 But afraid of being subjected to wild card selections, teenager Conseslus Kipruto shifted gears to win the race. There was no place for world silver medalist Brimin Kipruto, who was tripped at the London Olympics.

 The selectors handed Paul Kipsiele Koech, who won the Diamond League last year, a wild card.

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 World champion Asbel Kiprop reaffirmed his place in the national team even with a wild card tucked under his arms.

Kiprop will lead silver medalist Silas Kiplagat and Nixon Chepseba, who will be competing in the worlds for the first time, having bowed out at the Olympic semi finals.

 Bethwel Birgen, who has fared on well at the Diamond League, was rewarded with a wild card.

 TEAM:

MEN: 800m: Anthony Chemut, Ferguson Rotich, Jeremiah Mutai; 1,500m: Silas Kiplagat, Asbel Kiprop, Nixon Chepseba, Bethwell Birgen; 3,000m SC: Conseslus Kipruto, Abel Kiprop Mutai, Ezekiel Kemboi, Paul Kipsiele Koech; 5,000m: Isaiah Kiplangat Koech, Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa, Edwin Cheruiyot Soi, John Kipkoech; 10,000m: Bedan Karoki, Paul Kipngetich Tanui, Kenneth Kiprop Kipkemoi; Marathon: Mike Kipyego, Bernard Kipyego, Peter Some, Nicholas Kipkemboi; Javelin: Julius Yego.

WOMEN: 800m: Eunice Jepkoech Sum, Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, Winny Chebet; 1,500m: Hellen Onsando Obiri, Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon, Nancy Jebet Lagat; 3,000m SC: Milcah Chemos Cheywa, Gladys Jerotich Kipkemoi, Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi; 5,000m: Mercy Cherono, Viola Jelagat Kibiwot, Margaret Wangari Muruiki; 10,000M: Gladys Cherono, Emilly Chebet, Sally Kaptich Chepyego; Marathon: Edna Kiplagat, Lucy Kabuu, Margaret Akai, Valentine Chepkorir.