New faces shine in 5,000m: National Trials Usual suspects missing as youngsters shine
Athletics
By
Dennis Okeyo
| Jun 24, 2017
No problems for Ferguson, Bett and Kipruto in 800m and 3000m semis.
New faces were dominant as Cyrus Ruto led the fight for places in the men’s 5,000m team to the IAAF World Championship in London on August 4 to August 13.
World Cross Country Champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Olympic silver medallist Paul Tanui who were expected to headline the 12-lap showdown yesterday opted not double.
They will instead fight for places in Kenya’s team in the 10,000m final today.
Ruto who was overlooked by the panel of selectors when he finished third at the Rio Olympics trials in Eldoret last year proved he was no pushover as he out sprinted Davis Kiplangat (13:31.7) to win the race in 13:31.5.
Geoffrey Koech finished third in 13:33.9
“I came here to fight for the first position, nothing else. I was disappointed last year during the Olympic trials where I finished third, but I was dropped because I lack experience.
“I’m glad to have won the race today. To me experience at the international stage doesn’t matter, as long as I will run a good race that’s ok with me.
“This will be my first time in the national team” said Ruto, a youth product of St. Patrick’s High School, Iten under Bro Colm O’Connell’s programme.
Kiplangat, another junior who was making his debut in the senior ranks secured himself a slot in the team with a commanding second position finish.
“The race was pretty good and racing with seniors and finishing second is a pretty good thing.
At the world Juniors in Bydgoszcz, Poland I won silver now I hope to do the same in senior competitions,” said the 19-year-old Kiplangat who hails from Sigowet, Kericho County.
“It’s a good thing to see new faces and fresh legs in men’s 5000m, in the last few years Kenya has been sending almost the same team and getting same results. “Change is good,” said Bro O’Connell who watched the race yesterday.
In the other highlights of the opening day, last year’s Diamond League winner in 800m Ferguson Rotich clocked 1:45.2 to win the first semi-final.
USA-based Emmanuel Korir finished second (1:45.5) to book his place in the today’s final.
In the second semi-final, World Junior champion Kipyegon Bett won in 1:45.9 followed by another USA-based runner Michael Saruni (1:46.1).
In men’s 3,000m steeplechase all the big boys led by the Olympic Champion Conselsus Kipruto, Diamond League specialist Jairus Birech and Brimin Kipruto all booked themselves slots in the finals.
Others in the finals include World Junior silver medallist Amos Kirui and Felix Kirongo.
Some of the main highlights in today’s races will be men’s 1,500m final.
Here world champion Asbel Kiprop, world silver medallist Elijah Manangoi, national champion Timothy Cheruiyot the always dangerous Ronald Kwemoi and former Commonwealth Games Champion Silas Kiplagat will all be fighting for three slots available.