Kip Keino Classic: Kibet on title defence against stellar field at Kasarani

Seventeen-year-old World Indoor 800m silver medalist Noah Kibet has his work cut out in his attempt at a title defence at the Kip Keino Classic. 

The one-day World Athletics Continental Tour gold meeting set for Saturday 7 May at Kasarani Stadium pits the youngster against, among others, seasoned 1500m runner and world champion Timothy Cheruiyot. 

Uganda's Chemutai coming to town after snatching Kenya's steeplechase crown

Cheruiyot who is yet to fully recover from a nagging injury has elected to scale down to the two-lap race where he faces stiff competition from traditional 800m runners.

"He has elected to move to the 800m as part of his build-up for the busy season ahead. This will help him build on his speed even as he works on full recovery," Cheruiyot's coach Bernard Ouma confirmed. 

While the world champion finished sixth in 1500m during the Athletics Kenya (AK) national championship held last week, Kibet clocked 1:46.75 to win the men's race and book his ticket to the Senior African Athletics Championships set for June in Mauritius. 

Kibet who won the race in last year’s event is excited to be up against the seniors again on Saturday, a race he is using as part of preparations to representing the country in upcoming races. 

In last year’s event, fresh from winning bronze at the World Under-20 Championships on the same track, Kibet clocked 1:44.97 to win ahead of former World Indoor Tour champion Collins Kipruto and All African Games silver medalist Cornelius Tuwei. 

"I am happy with my training and looking forward to racing against such a stellar field. I still.have work to do to improve my times, especially with my finish. I am fine for the 600m, but i have been struggling with my last 200m and I am hoping to work on that with each race," offered Kibet. 

Also on the field is Olympics silver and world bronze medalist Ferguson Rotich who will be starting his outdoor season, having given the national championship last week, that also doubled as the trial to the Senior African Athletics Championships, a wide berth. 

Last year's silver and bronze medalist are also on the startlist with World Under-20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi adding to the flavour of the race that has attracted three runners from outside the country. 

Africa Championships finalist (2018) Tshite Tshepo of South Africa a 1:44.69 runner, Abedin Mujezinovic and Bodena Tolesa Asho of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ethiopia respectively are the only foreign players in the field. 

National silver medalist Nicholas Kebenei and Robert Korir complete the list as currently constituted.