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L. MathekaKigen, Rutto fight for steeplechase crown in defense forces meeting
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.05.21. | 09:11
KDF is holding its trials to select a team that will compete at the national Africa Senior Championships trials set for May 27-29.
As the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Athletics Championship comes to a close today at the Nyayo National Stadium, at stake are not only tickets to the national trials to the Africa Senior Athletics Championship but also a claim to the throne that is Kenya's dominance in 3000m steeplechase at the Olympics.
Benjamin Kigen and Vincent Kipyegon Rutto will be the men to beat in the 3000m final slated for later today but their target is not just winning the KDF event but positioning them as frontrunners to the Olympics trials.
We are back on the tracks! The 2021 Athletics Kenya Defence Forces Championship is taking place from the 17 – 19 May 2021 at the Nyayo National Stadium where champions will seek to outrun each other for the ultimate crown. pic.twitter.com/yjftB8EBpj
— Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) May 16, 2021
Nanyuki-based Kigen beat the Mtongwe man Rutto in one of the two semi finals held on Tuesday, clocking 8:46.16 with the latter finishing in 8:46.72 in a race that they faced little competition and leisurely exchanged leads throughout the race. Embakasi's Moses Kibet was third in 8:50.41.
"I cannot rule out other competitors at the KDF event but my sight is set on making the African team as well as getting a chance to try out for the Olympics," said Kigen.
The 27-year old won steeplechase gold at the 2019 African Games and the 2018 Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting, where he famously beat Conseslus Kipruto and Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager. He finished the World Championships in Doha in 8:06.95.
On his part, Rutto believes making the African team is not a far fetched dream. "I understand the kind of competition that the distance attracts both at the KDF championships and nationally but I will keep pushing for that chance. I have not achieved the Olympics qualifying time of 8:22.00 but I feel that I have it within me," offered Rutto.
A closer look at ADIDAS Techstar Allround 2 Track Spikes of an athlete during the Kenya Defence Forces Athletics Championships at Nyayo National Stadium on May 18, 2021. pic.twitter.com/UV4L0LjTO2
— Kenya Sports Enthusiast (@SportsPhotosKe) May 18, 2021
The duo's chances of making the national team to the continental and global event are further enhanced by the legal battle facing Kipruto who has been accused of defilement and us out on bail having pleaded not guilty.
Before Kipruto, the country has produced icons such as two-time Olympic and four-time world champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Beijing 2008 and Osaka 2007 world gold winner Brimin Kipruto, and three-time world champion and Atlanta 1996 Olympics silver medalist Moses Kiptanui.
Other Olympic titleholders are Reuben Kosgei, Matthew Birir, Julius Kariuki, Julius Keter, Amos Biwott and the legendary Kipchoge Keino.
