Bett aims at dethroning Ferguson: Target faces threat from Amos Nijel of Botswana

ATHLETICS-DIAMOND-CHN Kipyegon Bett of Kenya reacts as he wins in the men’s 800 meter during the Shanghai Diamond League athletics competition in Shanghai May 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Johannes EISELE

The young athlete has set his eyes on top prize 

World Junior 800m champion Kipyegon Bett has set his sights on claiming this year’s IAAF Diamond League trophy as the competition enters its homestretch with Sunday’s tenth leg of the season, in Rabat, Morocco.

Bett, who has been branded as the next David Rudisha, is in pole position to dethrone holder and compatriot Ferguson Rotich after garnering 22 points from his three Diamond League meets.

However, the 19-year-old faces threat from an improving Olympic silver medalist Amos Nijel of Botswana.

The Commonwealth Games champion is behind Kipyegon with 16 points after recent victories in Paris and London.

Kipyegon started the season on a high note by clocking 1:44.70 to win the Shanghai meet in June ahead of Robert Biwott (1:45.15) and Ferguson (1:45.17). He however finished second behind Polish Adam Kszczot and Nijel in Rome and Paris, respectively.

But with all the top four Paris’ finishers and Kszczot having confirmed their participation in the second edition of The International Mohammed VI Athletics Meeting, Bett expects an explosive race.

“Yes,I expect stiff competition from all the athletes but Nigel remains my first threat because he has been improving race after race.

"However, I am not afraid of anything because the race can be won by anybody depending on how you train,” Bett told The Standard Sports upon arrival in Rabat.

“My performance has been quite good this year. My target now is to run my best time on Sunday, maintain the lead and hopefully win the last Diamond League trophy. I know it will not be easy, but I am determined to achieve that.”

Asked if he is under pressure, now that he is being compared with Rudisha, whom he is expected to face off with at next month’s World Championship in London, Kipyegon said: “It is a great feeling to be compared with such an iconic athlete, but there is no ressure at all.”

But just like Bett, Ferguson who is currently tied on points (12) with third-placed Biwott, has refused to give up on defending his trophy.