Olympiad Kiyeng eyes Diamond League triumph

By John Kwoba

NAIROBI, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Olympic 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Hyvin Kiyeng is eyeing a victory in the Doha Diamond League meeting on Friday.

Kiyeng's arch rival will be world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri. The two will compete at the 3,000m flat course where Obiri has more experience.

However, Kiyeng who launched her season a week ago in Eldoret, believes she has the strength and speed to rival Obiri in her quest for the lucrative 50,000 U.S. dollar and Diamond trophy at the end of the series.

"My training has been good and I have no concerns of injuries. I haven't run this season and Doha will be a good opener for me to gauge how fast I can run against strong opposition," said Kiyeng on Monday in Eldoret.

A total of eight Kenyans will be in the 3,000m women race. Alongside Obiri and Kiyeng, there will also be Norah Jeruto, Caroline Chepkoech, Mary Kuria, Lillian Kasait, Agnes Torop and Sandrafelis Chebet

"It is the start of the season and everyone wants to gain that early advantage so it will be a fast paced race and world lead time will be registered. But it is important to focus on your own strength and not your rival's weakness. I run my own race," said Chepkoech.

Margaret Chelimo, the fifth-place finisher at the 2017 World championships and Jenny Simpson of the USA, will move up to the longer distance in Doha and will provide a strong challenge for the Kenyans.

Obiri enjoyed an outstanding 2017 season, claiming the overall 5,000m IAAF Diamond League title in Brussels following victories in Shanghai and Rome, as well as winning the 3,000m in Monaco and taking a new meeting record over one mile at the Muller Anniversary Games in London.

However, 20-year-old teammate Kasait has shown strong form already this season, winning team gold at the 2018 World Cross Country Championships in Uganda and taking individual bronze, proving the youngster is one-to-watch and setting up an exciting head-to-head in May.

The race promises to be a real treat for Qatar's large Kenyan community, who always come out in force to support their athletes. Enditem