Former European women's 1500m champion Angelika Cichocka says she will be more than pleased to wrestle double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon in the fourth edition of Absa Kip Keino Continental Gold Tour at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
Cichoka says she has done her homework well and her body was in great shape to conquer Kasarani, which will host over 200 international athletes this weekend.
She will be taking part in the World Athletics series event for the first time after successfully overcoming a protracted injury that has put her out of competition for years.
The Pole, based in Kaptagat in the Rift Valley since 2018, was unable to try her luck in the other previous editions due to nagging injuries.
"I have never run in a high altitude zone like Nairobi, I know it will be quite a challenge to tackle the Kip Keino Classic but nonetheless it will be a good experience for me. Actually, I'm quite excited about the race," she told Standard Sports.
The Kip Keino Classic will be Cichoka's second major competition this season after the opening round of the 2023 Diamond League series in Doha, Qatar on Friday where she competed alongside Kipyegon who won the race with a world lead.
"I gauged myself in Doha, I felt my body is in shape, I know I can win at Kasarani, even if I don't it will be a good build up for the many international races I have planned for this season," Cichoka underlined.
Both Kipyegon and Cichoka jetted back into the country on Sunday morning from Doha ahead of the Kip Keino Classic.
"Training in Kaptagat has prepared me well to face Kipyegon, I ran with her (Faith) in Doha and she is an amazing person, I look forward to challenging her on Saturday at Kasarani," Cichoka said.
Ahead of the Kip Keino Classic, Cichoka is taking a two-day rest at her base in Kaptagat to shake-off the jet-lag before embarking on easy runs and light training to loosen her muscles.
Nicknamed 'Chepkoech' by Kaptagat locals, Cichoka readily confesses her love for Kenya which she says is the perfect place for any world beating athlete to start off their season.
"The country has good weather, the altitude for athletics build up is amazing. It has everything that one needs to be a champion. This country has shaped my athletics career," she said.
An upbeat Kipyegon told Standard Sports that she is ready to reclaim her 1500m title at the Kasarani showpiece but this will depend on the advice given by her agent today.
Just like Cichoka, Kipyegon wants to use the Kasarani duel to build up to her for the World Championship in Budapest, Hungary in August.
She said her ultimate aim in 2023 is to smash the world record that eluded her by a whisker last season.
