Mwangangi bows out of Doha Diamond League, to debut in Eugene on May 30

Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku will not compete in Doha on Friday, but will open his Diamond League campaign in Eugene, Oregon on May 30.

Mwangangi, who won the 2014 Diamond League race in the 3000m distance, will skip the hyped clash against British double Olympic and world champion, Mo Farah.

“This year I want to focus on the World Championships. I had planned to compete in Doha, but I opted out to focus on training.

“I believe I am not well prepared and I will delay my show at the Diamond League until the end of the month to compete at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene,” he said.

Mwangangi allayed any fears about his fitness, saying his decision to withdraw from Doha was down to his training programme.

“Back in March, I had a low back problem and after scans, it was confirmed that there were no fractures, but just a muscle strain. I have shaken it off now and I am back in full training,” he said.

As a Diamond League winner, Mwangangi has an automatic qualification to the World Championships, but as requirement of Athletics Kenya, he must be present during the national trials to contest his slot in the team.

“I will be moving up to the 5,000m distance and I want to see how I will perform. I hope my sprint will be enough to win the battle against Mo Farah when we meet. But that will only be in Beijing.

“All I want to do now is prepare for the season and see that I peak at the right time. It is pointless to compete against him now, win or lose, and do dismally at the World Championships,” he added.

In the absence, the Kenyan flag will be flown by World 5,000m bronze medallist Isaiah Koech Kiplangat, Geoffrey Barusei, Gideon Gathimba, Frederick Kipkosgei Kiptoo, Thomas Longosiwa and Edwin Soi.

Mwangangi said Kenya still has the potential to end their wait for gold over the 5,000m distance.

“Longosiwa and I are 1,500m runners. Isaiah Koech too is a fast runner and when we get the best team for the championships, we will try and outrun Farah.”