By JONATHAN KOMEN
Two-time World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will lead a galaxy of stars to the first leg of the 2014 IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Friday.
Kiprop, who is eyeing the 1,500m world record at the Diamond League meeet in Monaco in July, is also keen to compete at the World Relays Championships in Bahamsa. Others stars in the Kenya team to Bahamas are Eunice Sum, former world 1,500m silver medalist Silas Kiplagat, former world champion Janet Jepkosgei, World 1,500m bronze medalist Hellen Obiri and world 5,000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono.
Head coach Sammy Rono said the athletes will leave today for the Qatari capital and report back Sunday at the Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani.
“We expect them back on Sunday. We have a full house and expect to fine tune some of the problems we spotted during the trails,” said Rono.
Kiprop reiterated his quest to produce a superlative show in 4x1,500m at the World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, (May 24-25).
winning trend
“I have been doing well in Doha and hope continue the trend. We also have the potential to break our 4x1,500m record in Bahamas,” said Kiprop.
He will take on team mate Silas Kiplagat, who has failed to impress since winning silver medal at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011.
Jepkosgei will join Eunice Sum to the World Relays Championships.
“Eunice is my daughter I am always happy to train with her. She is a good partner and I am happy she has picked well from me. It has been more than a decade since I competed in the 800m and I feel the great challenge from upcoming athletes. The young athletes motivate me a lot.”
World 5,000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono, who anchored her team to unofficial 17:05.8 world record in 4x1, 500m race at the national trials, will be keen to start off the season on a high note.
Cherono, who graduated in 2012 to senior ranks, will lead All Africa Games 1,500m champion Irene Jelagat, a senior brigade, alongside Ann Karindi and Perin Nenkampi to Bahamas.
The team will leave for Bahamas on May 21.
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