Men's 1500m, Kenyan Olympic trials - Isaac Songok (1088) holds the curve (© Njenga)
On a fine afternoon at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, 15,000 spectators saw the Olympic ambitions of Reuben Kosgei, Wilson Boit Kipketer, Charles Kamathi, Patrick Ivuti and Edith Masai bite the dust today.
Kemboi wins but Kipruto catches the eye
The revelation of the men's 3000m Steeplechase final was the world’s second fastest of the season Brimin Kipruto, who at only 19 years of age finished second (8:17.1) behind World silver medallist Ezekiel Kemboi (8:16.5), and so was automatically selected for the Olympics. Kipruto will also compete in the World juniors in Grosseto next month in the 1500m.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Abraham Cherono tried to set up a fast pace but failed to hold his position after Kemboi, followed by Kipruto moved to the front with two laps remaining. Cherono who finished in third (8:23.0) also made the Athens team.
Reuben Kosgei, the reigning Olympics Steeplechase champion dropped out of today’s race on the last lap, while Boit Kipketer, the 1997 World champion and former World record holder was pushed into sixth.
Kipchoge dominant at 5000m
In what was expected to be the feature race of the two-day meeting, World champion Eliud Kipchoge won the men's 5000m in commanding style, demolishing a world class field midway.
Kipchoge heaved a sigh of relief at the finish, confirming “my chest has been heavy with anxiety for a whole year. It is now cleared having won today and from now I can say Athens will be easy.”
Kipchoge having concentrated on the 1500m so far this year showed his intentions early in the race by taking the lead which he refused to relinquish. When he broke away not even eventual second placed John Kibowen or Abraham Chebii could muster the energy to challenge him as he went on to finish in 13:14.0. Kibowen came second in 13:22.6, further back was Chebii (13:27.8).
It’s Korir’s 10,000
The 2001 World 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi, finished third (28:25.8) in the men's 10,000m but was some 200m behind the winner John Korir prompting selectors not to pick him. The same fate befell twice World Cross Country Championships silver medallist Patrick Ivuti who followed Kamathi home. Korir won in 27:56.6 with Moses Mosop (28:07.0) in second.
Kamathi may still make the Athens team depending upon how he runs in next month's African Championships.
Brilliant Bungei - first 4 go sub 1:45
Wilfred Bungei, 2001 World silver medallist was a revelation in the men’s 800m, and if he maintains his current form, he could end up on the podium in Athens.
”I think I am in great form and ripe for anything,” Bungei said after managing to pull the next three athletes to sub 1:45 clockings too.
Leading from the start, Bungei left the rest to sort themselves out and only William Yampoi and Justus Koech appeared capable of challenging him, and Bungei was some two strides ahead in the final home stretch.
Mayhem broke out behind him. All of a sudden Koech started to lose ground, Yampoi dropped back to fourth, while Mike Rotich with Joseph Mutua breathing down his neck, powered into second and third. Bungei stopped the clock at 1:44.38, his second sub 1:45 in 24 hours. Rotich posted 1:44.42 and Mutua 1:44.61.
Men’s 1500 – Songok pips Lagat
Reigning Olympic champion Noah Ngeny was given a place in the final of the 1500 by the selectors despite having been officially knocked out in the semis on Friday (25 June) but in the end their gesture went for nothing as Ngeny failed to finish the race. "I lost and I am not bitter at all and I congratulate the winners today," the Olympic champion confirmed.
Up front, Isaac Songok pipped Olympics bronze medallist Bernard Lagat for first place. Lagat was lucky to get out of a very dangerous situation with just 100m to go after being boxed. However, he managed to move out and sprinted into second with 20m to go. Consequently, Lagat was brimming with excitement after the race. "I am in Athens. Athens is good for me." Songok clocked 3:35.4, Lagat 3:35.7 and Timothy Kiptanui in third 3:36.0.
Masai will not go to Athens
World's fastest this year at the 10,000m Jane Wanjiku won the women’s 5000m in 15:20.05, followed by Isabella Ochichi (15:21.17). Both athletes exchanged the lead with World bronze medallist Edith Masai but she dropped out on the seventh lap and announced she would not go to Athens. "I am just too tired and I will not rescind my decision," said the three time World Cross short course champion.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for IAAF
Kenyan Athens Olympics team
Men
400m: Vincent Mumo, Ezra Sambu
800m: Wilfred Bungei, Michael Rotich, Joseph Mutua
1500: Isaac Songok, Bernard Lagat, Timothy Kiptanui
5000m: Eliud Kipchoge, John Kibowen, Abraham Chebii
10,000m: John Korir, Moses Mosop + one other**
3000m steeplechase: Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto, Abraham Cherono Marathon: Paul Tergat, Eric Wainaina, Sammy Korir
Women
5000m: Jane Wanjiku, Isabella Ochichi
10,000m: Alice Timbilil Lucy Wangui
Marathon: Catherine Ndereba, Margaret Okayo, Alice Chelangat.
Team Manager: E.K. Njeru, Assistant: Alice Adala.
Coaches: Dan Muchoki, Mike Kosgei, Joseph Chesire.
NB. *The third athlete in the 10,000m will be selected based on Charles Kamathi and Nicholas Kemboi performances in the Africa championships next month in Congo Brazzaville.
Results
Men
400m: 1. Vincent Mumo, Armed Forces, 45.77, 2. George Kwoba, Police, 46.14, 3. Ezra Sambu, Police, 46.16, 4. Sammy Rono, Armed Forces, 46.25, 5. Thomas Musembi, Prisons, 46.28.
800m: 1. Wilfred Bungei, Individual, 1:44.38, 2. Michael Rotich, Armed Forces, 1:44.42, 3. Joseph Mutua, Armed Forces, 1:44.61, 4. William Yampoi, Police, 1:44.97, 5. Edwin Leting, North Rift, 1:46.36.
1500m: 1. Isaac Songok, Individual, 3:35.4, 2. Bernard Lagat, Individual, 3:35.7, 3. Timothy Kiptanui, Individual, 3:36.0, 4. Paul Korir, Individual, 3:36.1, 5. Alex Kipchirchir, Individual, 3:37.0
5000m: 1. Eliud Kipchoge, Individual, 13:14.0, 2. John Kibowen, Armed Forces, 13:22.6, 3. Abraham Chebii, Individual, 13:27.8, 4. Hillary Chenonge, Individual, 13:31.0, 5. Augustine Choge, Individual, 13:31.4.
10,000m: 1. John Korir, Armed Forces, 27:56.6, 2. Moses Mosop, Individual, 28:07.0, 3. Charles Kamathi, Police, 28:25.8, 4. Patrick Ivuti, Armed Forces, 28:33.1, 5. Francis Kiprop, Individual, 28:42.4.
3000m steeplechase: 1. Ezekiel Kemboi, Individual, 8:16.5, 2. Brimin Kipruto, Individual, 8:17.1, 3. Abraham Cherono, Armed Forces, 8:23.0, 4. David Chemweno, Individual, 8:23.2, 5. Richard Matelong, Police, 8:25.2
Women:
800m: 1. Charity Wandia, Armed Forces, 2:04.8, 2. Caroline Chepkwony, North Rift, 2:05.6, 3. Lwiza John, Tanzania, 2:05.7, 4. Faith Macharia, Individual, 2:06.1, 5. Hellen Juma, Coast, 2:07.1.
1500m: 1. Nancy Jebet, Nairobi, 4:14.3, 2. Jeruto Kiptum, Armed Forces, 4:14.5, 3. Viola Kibiwott, Individual, 4:14.7, 4. Naomi Mugo, Armed Forces, 4:15.4, 5. Susan Muthoni, Armed Forces, 4:16.5.
5000m: 1. Jane Wanjiku, Individual, 15:20.05, 2. Isabella Ochichi, Police, 15:21.17, 3. Innes Chenonge, Armed Forces, 15:29.47, 4. Vivian Cheruiyot, Individual, 15:54.59, 5. Prisca Jepleting, North Rift, 15:54.74.
