Abel Kipsang to skip CAA African Athletics Championships

On-form World Athletics Indoor 1500m bronze medalist Abel Kipsang has his sights set on adding the World Championships and Commonwealth Games medals to his tally in the busy 2022 season. 

The national championship says he is giving the upcoming Senior African Athletics Championships a wide berth to concentrate on the two events that are set for July and August respectively. 

"I will take part in a few Diamond League races as part of my preparations for the World Championships set for Oregon and the Birmingham Games. I have, however, elected not to compete in Mauritius," Kipsang confirmed in an interview with Mozzart Sport after his Kip Keino Classic victory. 

In his last three events, Kipsang has been the man to beat, first winning the national championship that doubled as the trials to the continental event in 3.36.17. 

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A week later, he was at it again as he displayed excellent front-running to clock a world-lead and championship record time of 3:31.01 at the Kip Keino Classi. 

Second-placed Reynold Kipkorir was a distant second in 3:35.50 while 2016 World Under-20 1500m champion Kumari Taki who is also qualified for the Senior African Athletics Championships finished third in 3:36.73. 

Four days ago he was again top of his game as he outsprinted World 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot to the season-opening Doha Diamond League title in 3:35.70 under breezy conditions that meant fast times were out of the question. 

As Athletics Kenya (AK) were naming their final list of 55, Kipsang was still included alongside Taki who finished second at the national trials.