Olympian Julius Yego during the National Championships, yesterday. [PHOTO: DENNIS OKEYO / STANDARD]

It was billed the day’s race show-stopper. And even without the fierce fireworks between top guns, the contest did not disappoint as the clash between world bronze medallist Isaiah Kiplangát and unknown Joseph Kitur was simply breath-taking.

In a battle that went down to the wire, Kitur outsmarted his rivals when he produced a devastating kick to pick his ticket to the 20th Commonwealth Games that runs in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 23-August 3.

Kitur, who comes from Kapkeben Village in Mosoriot in Nandi County, tore the field in the final lap with a storming run to victory in 13:30.3 at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

World Indoor champion Caleb Mwangangi (13:30.45) sealed the top two automatic slots to United Kingdom as newcomer Wilfred Kimitei (13:30.57) and Kiplangát (13:80.81) returned third and fourth.

Africa 5,000m bronze medallist Timothy Kiptoo (13:33.51) and rookie Frankline Ngelel (13:34.08) followed. Kitur, who finished seventh at the Africa cross-country championships in Kampala last March on his return after career-threatening injury ruled him out of action for five years, said: “I prayed in the morning before the race to finish in fifth place. But I got re-energised in the final lap.”

There were upsets in the men’s 1,500m battle after youngster Ronald Kipkemboi showed no respect for a classy line up.

Kipkemboi, who finished ninth at the 2013 world cross-country junior championships in Poland, beat former world junior silver medallist James Magut and Diamond League speedster Collins Cheboi as two-time world champion Asbel Kiprop disappeared off the radar.

Kipkemboi carried the title in 3:34.6 ahead of Elijah Manangoi (3:35.0) and Magut and Cheboi who timed 3:35.1 and 3:36.0 respectively.

Jairus Kipchoge Birech, fresh from winning the IAAF Diamond League in Rome on Thursday night, strolled to the water and barriers title in 8:18.7.

Jonathan Muia, the 2008 world junior champion, staged his comeback as picked the ticket to Glasgow with a second finish in 8:21.2.