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Battle of Manangoi brothers to boost Kenya's team prospects for Commonwealth Games

Xinhua,January 05, 2018 Adjust font size:

NAIROBI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- World Youth 1,500m champion George Manangoi, who won the race during the World Under-18 in Nairobi in June, will face in the race his elder brother and world champion Elijah Manangoi with a clenched fist when the duo meet at the Kenyan trials for the Commonwealth Games in March in Nairobi.

Another of his training mates Timothy Cheruiyot, the world senior outdoor 1,500m silver medallist, will also be in the race as well as Asbel Kiprop.

But the younger Manangoi is not worried about the class of talent on parade in the chocking field, but will focus on his own development and strength to claim a slot in Kenya team.

"The 1,500m race is one of the strongest event Kenya can parade. But it is about how you plan and train. We are all under the same coach Benard Ouma and my elder brother and Cheruiyot have taught me a lot. But I believe it is time I became a man of my own if I have to survive in this field," he said.

The younger Manangoi is now eyeing a second title at the World Under-20 Championships scheduled for July 10-15 in Tampare, Finland. However, before going for the biennial showpiece, George will compete against his elder brother Elijah for the first time during the Commonwealth Games trials in Nairobi and if he makes the team, at the Gold Coast finals set for April 4-15 in Australia.

The Manangoi's toast to their victory in Nairobi and London with a big celebration and the younger of the brothers is keen to replicate that form in winning in Nairobi, Gold Coast and Tampare.

However, he knows he is still a step below and must work on his endurance and tactics.

George's (Manangoi) main task in Finland will be to ensure that Kenya retains the title last won by Kumari Taki (3:48.63) during the 2016 edition in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Kenya will be seeking to improve on their medal tally at the competition after they wound up third in the last edition in Poland with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Enditem

 

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