L. MathekaBudapest23: Koech to chase qualification time in Monaco
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 16.07.23. | 08:12
The quality field could propel him to qualification which would be a new PB for the KDF man
National 3000m steeplechase champion Simon Koech who also won the trials for the World Athletics held last weekend will take his chase for qualifying time to Monaco.
Koech has been entered in the Monaco race slated for 21 July where he will hope to hit the 8:15.00 which is set as the qualification mark to be in Budapest.
The former World Under-20 bronze medalist clocked 8:26.00 on 10 June to win his first national title and further lowered the time to 8:22.55, a season best, during the trials where he finished ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Bett.
The 8:18.43 runner, a mark achieved in 2021 will hope to use the Monaco field, that has among other Olympics and World Championship Soufiane El Bakkali, compatriot Kibiwott and Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale to push his time and achieve tye required mark to represent Kenya in Budapest.
After winning the trials and booking his ticket to this year's global showpiece set for 19 to 27 August in the Hungarian capital, Koech exuded confidence in attaining the time and challenging for a place in the podium.
"It is an honour to get this opportunity to represent the country at the senior level. I am confident the team selected will challenge the current status quo.
This season I elected to race in fewer events as I felt the need to work on my craft, especially crossing the barriers before lining up for nay competition and it worked well for me as I have won the last two events," the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) athlete offered.
In the event that he misses the time before the qualification period is closed on 30 July, Koech will bank on the World Ranking quota system.
It is unclear whether Athletics Kenya will replace athletes that have booked a place in Team Kenya to Budapest but are yet to hit qualifying time.
Two more athletes in Ferguson Rotich and Naomi Korir who booked their places in the 800m are yet to hit qualification. The 4x400m men's team is also hoping to get the opportunity based off of the top list ranking.
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