Battle royale as police slug it out

Elijah Manangoi leads men's 800m semis during the day of National Police Championship at Nyayo Stadium on May 17, 2017. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO, STANDARD]

Fireworks are expected when top guns battle in the final day of the National Police Service Athletics Championships at Nyayo Stadium today.

Elijah Manangoi, the world 1,500m silver medallist who boasts a world leading time of 3:31.90 set in Doha last week, faces a strong field in 800m that includes Job Kinyor and Jeremiah Mutai, the 2009 world youth 400m hurdles silver medallist.

Manangoi posted a slow 1:48.1 to qualify for the final while Kinyor, a member of the IAAF World Relay Championships team to Bahamas, sailed into final in 1:48.4.

“I’m using the championship to sharpen my speed and also prepare for the Eugene Diamond League (in USA) next week. That’s why I am competing in 800m not 1,500m,” said Manangoi.

In today’s women’s 800m finals, Emily Cherotich (2:08.1)will square it out with Eglay Nalianya (2:06.9) and the reigning Commonwealth Games 3000m steeplechase champion Purity Cherotich, who finished second in semi-final in 2:19.0.

Daniel Wanjiru, the reigning London Marathon champion, will line up in men’s 10,000m finals against 2009 world 10,000m bronze medalist Moses Masai and Nicholas Kamakya. Wanjiru, who won Amsterdam Marathon last October, said he will honour Athletics Kenya call up the IAAF World Athletics Championships marathon squad in London in August.

“I’m ready for the race and hopefully do well tomorrow (today).”

World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng, world cross country bronze medalist Lilian Kasait, Hellen Cherono, Chepng’etich Langat and Beth Mugo are among star attractions in women’s 5,000m final.

Abednego Chesebe and George Manangoi, the younger brother of Elijah Manangoi, leads the 1,500m onslaught against Bernard Kipkorir and Collins Cheboi.

In men’s 400m finals, Newton Rotich takes on Stanley Kieti and Michael Makan alongside Newton Rono and Joshua Masikonde, the 2014 world junior silver medallist.