Kenyan champ Kiprop the man to beat in Beijing over 1,500m competition
Xinhua, August 23, 2015 Adjust font size:
As the curtains rise on the World Championships, many are wondering what it will take to stop defending champion in 1,500m race Asbel Kiprop from retaining his title at the Bird's Nest Stadium.
Kiprop will be the man to beat as he looks to maintain his recent dominance over the distance and secure a hat-trick of world titles.
"I will not overlook anyone. All the people in Beijing are after winning and I must be prepared for a big battle. But I will take it in my lanky strides," said Kiprop on his Twitter account on Saturday.
The 26-year-old, who impressively claimed the title in both 2011 and 2013, has enjoyed an outstanding 2015 campaign with his only defeat over 1,500m or the mile this year coming back in May at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene.
The tall, slender Kiprop clinched mile victories in both Oslo and London, but perhaps most dauntingly for his rivals climbed to third on the world all-time list by producing the fastest 1,500m seen for 14 years to win in Monaco in 3:26.69.
Kiprop may start as favorite, but there is no shortage of athletes prepared to wrestle the title from his grasp.
Leading the challengers is Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi, who appears to be returning to top form. The Algerian has raced sparingly this season, but ran a personal best of 3:28.75 to place second behind Kiprop in Monaco and has all the credentials to mount a strong podium threat.
Kiprop is joined on the Kenyan team by Silas Kiplagat, who will also have designs on gold. The experienced Kiplagat won a world silver behind Kiprop four years ago and with IAAF Diamond League victories in Shanghai and Paris behind him, he has the quality to shine.
The Kenyan team is rounded out by the 22-year-old Elijah Manangoi, who made a huge breakthrough in Monaco, running a personal best of 3:29.67.
Other athletes not to be overlooked include Ethiopian record-holder Aman Wote and his compatriot Mekonnen Gebremedhin, the 2012 world indoor bronze medallist. Endi