Gold search intensifies: Jebitok and Nzangi in action in 1,500m

IAAF WORLD U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS KASARANI STADIUM Kenyan 800m boys Japhet Toroitich(L) and Tolesa Bodena of Ethiopia battle in the second heat during the IAAF World U18 Championships at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday 13/07/17.[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Toroitich and Kiprono chase honours in 800m final.

Edna Jebitok and Rachel Nzangi are the host nation’s medal prospects as the duo once again renew the battle against stubborn neighbours, Ethiopia, in today’s girls 1,500 finals at 6:35pm.

The two Kenyan teenagers hold the two fastest times in the event, with lanky Jebitok starting as the favourite on paper as she boasts a personal best of 4:16.90.

Jebitok hails from the athletics-rich Keringet region in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, the home Olympics champion Faith Chepngetich, Olympics 10,000 silver Paul Tanui and 5,000m runner Isaiah ‘Chairman’ Kiplagat. 2017 Boston Marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui also hails from the region.

Nzangi enters the final with a personal best time of 4:17.30 and is also a huge medal prospect.

Kenya’s rivals Ethiopia have entered Lemlem Hailu and Sindu Girma. The two little-known Ethiopians, who have both clocked 4:20:00 this season back home, can easily spoil the host's chances today at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

In 2015 championships in Cali, Colombia, Kenya lost the gold medal to Ethiopian Bedatu Hirpa and the locals will be keen to gain revenge in front of the home fans. Kenya’s Joyline Cherotich won bronze in that race with Bahrain’s Dalila Abdulkadir Gosa taking home silver. Kenya had won in previous editions on four consecutive occasions between 2005 and 2011.

South African pair of Nicole Louw and Lyndi Roelfse, who have run 4:21.44 and 4:22.62 respectively this season, will also be in the mix and will pose some danger to the home girls. Lilyana Georgieva of Bulgaria is another runner with a 4:20.01 in the event.

In boys’ 800m finals, Kenyan duo of Japheth Kibiwott Toroitich and Noah Kiprono will once again battle it out in today’s final.

Toroitich, a Form Four student at St. Patrick's High School Iten was a second place finisher in the semis after clocking 1:50.03. Noah Kiprono, a final entrant with a ‘q’ in a time 1:51.72, will have to be at his best in the finals.

Early in the week, Toroitich said they will have to find a working formula to contain the dangerous-looking Ethiopians.

The hosts have dominated the 800m event in the past two events held in Donetsk, Ukraine, in 2013 and Cali, Colombia, in 2015 with Alfred Kipketer and Willy Tarbei winning gold.

Kipyegon Bett was second in Cali but went ahead to beat compatriot Tarbei at the World Under-20 in Poland last year.