EYES ON WORLD RECORD: Olympics champion Kipruto goes for steeplechase record in Brussels tonight

Fresh from an Olympics record-breaking victory in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase at the Rio Olympics, Conseslus Kipruto now has his eyes on the world record.

The 21-year-old former World Youth and Junior champion has already claimed the overall Diamond League title and the focus in Brussels tonight is about the world record.

Kiprop is the fastest man in the world this year with a Personal Best time of 8:00.12 that he ran in Birmingham, but tonight, at the Memorial Van Damme meeting, everyone is waiting to see if he will break Saif Saaeed Shaheen’s record of 7.53.63 set in 2004.

Kipruto will come into the race as favourite, having added the Olympics title to five wins on the Diamond League circuit this season.

Just like Kipruto, Ethiopian Almaz Ayana is also going for the world record in the women’s 5000m as she competes against Kenyans in a ‘Rio’ rematch.

Ayana leads the race standings with 30 points, two ahead of Mercy Cherono. Olympics silver medallist Hellen Obiri is third with 16 points, three more than fifth-placed Olympics champion Vivian Cheruiyot.

Another tough battle is expected in the men’s 800m when leader Ferguson Rotich (33 points) takes on France’s Pierre-Ambroise Bosse as both of them target to redeem themselves from the disappointment in Rio.

Despite having a slim six-point lead ahead of the Frenchman and stiff competition from European champion Adam Kszczot and Olympics bronze medalist Clayton Murphy, Rotich is determined to end the season on a high note.

“I know it will not be an easy race, but I think this is an opportunity for me to finish the season on a high note,” Rotich said.

But for three-time 1500m world champion Asbel Kiprop, there is no better chance than the Brussels meeting for him to redeem himself after the flop in Rio.

With a world leading time of 3.29.33, Kiprop faces Olympics silver medallist Taoufik Makhloufi (Algeria) and world silver medallist Elijah Manangoi, who has recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered in Rio.

“I have had a very good season, winning in Doha, Eugene, Oslo and Birmingham. But I have also disappointed myself twice this season in Monaco and Olympics where I finished sixth. I want to try and finish the season on a high note. I want to see if I still have something in store,” he said.

Reflecting on the Olympics disappointment, he said: “Olympics is now behind me. In sports, such things happen and for Olympics, everybody is always ready and does whatever it takes to win it regardless of the fastness or slowness of the race. It didn’t come my way and I am not complaining.”