Two-time world 1,500m champion Kiprop fires warning shot ahead of Worlds trip

Asbel Kiprop competes in 800m during the Relays championship at Nyayo stadium on March 21, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Two-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop has announced his bid to make the cut to the second IAAF World Relay Championships set for set for Nassau, Bahamas, on May 2-3.

Kiprop, who is the only Kenyan to have won men’s 1,500m gold medal at the world championships, fired warning shots to his rivals, winning the 800m race in 1:44.4 at the Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

World junior 800m champion Alfred Kipketer (1:45.0), new catch Nicholas Kiplagat (1:45.3) and former World Youth 400m silver medalist Jeremiah Mutai (1:45.6) followed, as Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Kiptum (1:46.2) and Bernard Kipyegon (1:46.7) sealed the top six spots.

Ferguson Rotich (1:47.0), fourth at the Commonwealth Games and former Africa 800m bronze medalist Jackson Kivuva (1:47.8) came in seven and eighth.

Olympian Anthony Chemut (1:48.9), world 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto (1:49.9) returned in distant 14 and 16.

After missing the world record at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Monaco last year, Kiprop now puts his title defence bid in crosshairs.

“I have no other plans this season. I just want to focus on defending my title at the world championships (in Beijing). I will compete in few Diamond League races.
“I just want to compete in the 4x800m relays. I hope we can form a strong team for relays.”

Former World Youth 400m silver medalist Alphas Kishoyian was the show-stopper in the one-lap race semi-final, winning in 46.1 seconds ahead of Michael Makan (47.3) and Thomas Musembi (47.6).