Olympic champions show class: National trials No problems for Kipruto and Chepngetich at Nyayo

National trials Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Chepngetich races to victory at the national trials at Nyayo Stadium on June 24, 2016 ahead of Brimin Kipruto and Jairus Birech. World champion Ezekiel Kemboi (left) congratulates them [Stafford Ondego, Sportpicha.com]

World Cross Country champion Kamworor unbeaten in 10,000m as trials end.

Olympic champions Faith Chepngetich and Conseslus Kipruto provided the main highlights as the two-day national trials ended at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

It was also a day that saw World Cross Country Champion Geoffrey Kamworor (27:35.91) back on the national podium in 10,000m with Olympic silver medallist over the distance Paul Tanui (27:42.63) ensuring a third place finish. Bedan Karoki was second in 27:40.32.

Another star name at the trials, Olympic 5,000m silver medallist Hellen Obiri also had a smooth run easily winning her race in 15:28.9.

World champion Julius Yego produced his best throw in javelin this season at the trials with a throw of 87.97m which was also the Nyayo Stadium record.

Chepngetich cemented her place in Kenya’s team to the World Championships in London with a commanding but slow 4:05.7 finish in 1,500m ahead of Winny Chebet (4:06.8). Sella Jepleting’s 4:06.8 time for third place was not enough for her to make the team.

Pre-race favourite Kipruto won the men’s 3000m steeplechase despite getting a knock on his left leg at the water jump with 800m to go.  He, however, soldiered on to clock 8:19.75. Former world steeplechase champion Brimin Kipruto (8:19.87 finished second. He will making his fifth stab at the IAAF World championship set for August.

“I have won silver twice at the World Championship, It’s now my time to go for gold medal. My body is responding well to training and I hope we will work as a team to bring gold medal home again,” said Kipruto who was congratulated the the finish line by the world champion over the distance Ezekiel Kemboi. Kemboi had pulled out of the trials with sickness.

United States-based Emmanuel Korir stole the limelight in men’s 800m finals after beating established two-lap runners that included the 2016 Diamond League winner Ferguson Rotich and Olympian Alfred Kipketer.

The reigning world junior champion Kipyegon Bett settled for the second place as another USA based Michael Saruni closed the podium finish. World champion David Rudisha did not run.

Korir clocked 1:43.86 while Bett’s second place finish was timed at 1:44.04. Saruni (1:44.61) was third while Rotich settled for fourth position.

“I’m so happy to run my ever race in Kenya and win. I have seen Kipyegon Bett is strong but I am looking forward to working together with them and eventually do well in London,” said Korir who is studying Kinesiology at University of Texas.

Another riveting action was witnessed in men’s 10,000m when Kamworor led Bedan Karoki and Tanui to make it to the London-bound team as predicted.

World Cross country Kamworor timed 27:35.9 win the race ahead of Karoki. Olympic silver medallist Tanui was third at 27:42.6.

“It was a fantastic race today, I had prepared well and I had no doubt of doing well here. We have lost against the Mo Farah in numerous occasions, it’s high time we change our tactics against him.  In London I’m only interested in gold,” Kamworor said.