TOKYO 2020: Survivor Kipsang plotting for Olympic mile medal

Amidst the brouhaha surrounding Athletics Kenya's tinkering with 1500m team selection, a largely nondescript Abel Kipsang waited pensively, not assured of his place in the plane having crossed the finish line outside the automatic qualifying positions but ahead of the world champion Timothy Cheruiyot.

When the dust finally settled after intense and viscous jostling, Kipsang, a third-placed finisher in the Kenyan trials was in the team while 2nd placed Kamar Etyang had been booted out in favor of Cheruiyot.

After thanking his good fortunes in Olympic chase, now the little known Kipsang is plotting to sneak onto the podium in Tokyo.

With track and field action at the Summer Games set to commence on August 30, Kipsang will enter the Tokyo Olympic Stadium on August 3 for the 1500m heats.

His focus fully set on making it past the preliminary and semi final stages as he aims to bring home one of the three medals on offer. 

Making his debut at the Summer Games, the 24-year old is looking to build on his fourth-place finish at the 2019 Africa Games 800m where he was making his debut on the international stage. 

To book his ticket to the Olympics, the Golazo stable athlete withstood stiff competition from a very rich field. Kenya Defence Forces' Charles Simwoto carried the day with Etyang also finishing ahead of him. 

He knows the effort required to reach the final where eventual duel awaits for the coveted medals.

"I am preparing for a successful debut at the Olympics. I am excited and honoured to be on the Tokyo 2020 squad. Achieving this is beyond my dreams and I am thrilled to be representing Kenya.” he said in an interview with his stable, Golazo. 

Prior to placing third at the Kenyan trials, Kipsang had attained a new personal best in the 1500m race, clocking 3:32.6 in Marseille on June 9.

"The Kenyan trials were very competitive so making the team is such a huge motivation. I hope to carry my form to Tokyo," he adds. 

Kenya will be looking to win the gold that has been elusive since Asbel Kiprop won in the 2008 Olympics edition. He missed out on the podium in the last Summer Games held in Rio, despite heading to the Games as the race favourite. 

With Etyang replaced by World champion Cheruiyot, Kenya will be banking on the three: Cheruiyot, Somwoto and Kipsang with the world champion heading to the games as the favourite.