Conseslus Kipruto (KEN) of Kenya competes ahead of Evan Jager (USA) of USA and Ezekiel Kemboi (KEN) of Kenya. REUTERS

It will be battle royale at Nyayo Stadium as Kenya’s top track and field stars seek tickets to fly the country’s flag at the IAAF World Championships in London in August.

The two-day action starts today with the women’s 10,000m final where national champion Alice Aprot will be battling against World Cross country champion Irene Cheptai, World Half Marathon record holder Jocycline Jepkosgei and former World Cross Country champion Agnes Tirop.

“I will give my best tomorrow morning (today), although I’m not yet satisfied with my speed work, it’s yet to reach top level, but all in all I will be ready to battle it out,” Aprot, who lost her father last month, told Standard Sports yesterday.

In another fierce battle, multiple world half marathon champion and world 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor, Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Paul Tanui and Leonard Barsoton will line up in the men’s 5,000m finals today.

“I feel good, the body is well and ready for action. I came back ten days ago to acclimatise ahead of the trials.

“I’m not sure if I will be doubling up in the 5,000m and 10,000m. But I will decide tomorrow (today),” the 26-year-old Japan-based Tanui said yesterday.

Other notable events today will be the men’s 800m semi-finals and men’s 100m final which have Mark Otieno who ran 10.14 seconds national record at the Athletics Kenya national Championship at the same venue two weeks ago. The qualification standard for men’s 100m is 10.12 seconds.

“I have really worked on my speed endurance in the last two weeks together with my coach Hilary Wesonga. I hope to chop off those micro-seconds and qualify for London worlds, “ said Otieno who has already qualified hit the qualifying mark in 200m

He clocked 20.41 seconds at the national championship which was enough to surpass the World Championships qualification standard of 20.44 seconds

Meanwhile, World 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, who hopes for a fifth consecutive gold in London, has pulled out of the trials citing sickness and will put his hopes on a slot in the team on a wildcard.

In his absence, the Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto will try to underline his status as the runner to beat in this specialty.

He will face Abraham Kibiwott, Barnabas Kipyego and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Abel Mutai when they line up in today’s semi-final.

Team Kenya Head coach Julius Kirwa has called on all the athletes to show-up for the championship regardless of their wildcards status.

“This is championship trials, athletes must come and compete to earn their positions in the team.”

By Ben Ahenda 22 mins ago
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