Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Jelimo continues golden jackpot chase

NAIROBI, July 18 – World junior record holder Pamela Jelimo will be among 12 Olympic team athletes who will take part in Friday’s IAAF Golden League athletics meet in Paris.

The teenage sensation has set the world alight this season with eye catching performances and another win in the fourth Golden league meet will keep in her hunt for a share of the $1 million jackpot.

The 18 year old is in a class of her own but will face token opposition in the form of World champion Janeth Jepkosgei while Mozambique legend Maria Mutola will be looking for a farewell present for her fans as she competes in the French capital for the last time.

The 1500 metres race will provide the other highlight of the meet with a quality field. Kenya’s Olympics 1500metres teammates will all be up against each other with Commonwealth 5,000 metres champion Augustine Choge and Nicholas Kemboi taking on an inform Asbel Kiprop who posted a new personal best in Rome last week.

World bronze medallist Shedrack Korir and 2006 World Junior champion Geoffrey Rono, Bahrain’s Belal Mansoor and Algeria’s Tarek Boukensa will also be in the mouthwatering race.

Africa 3,000 metres steeplechase champion Richard Mateelong will be favourite in the men’s 3,000metres flat as he is the quickest of the field in 8:07.64. The police instructor has been in fine form this season in the water and barrier race and will be looking to work on his speed ahead of the Olympic Games.

Kenya’s Olympic 5,000 metres duo of Edwin Soi and Thomas Longosiwa will also be on show in their final tune up before Beijing in what should be a purely Kenyan affair.

World 5,000 metres bronze medallist Priscah Cherono is favourite to win the 12 and a half race following the withdrawal of World record holder Tirunesh Dibaba and her siblings.

Cherono will however have to overcome Beijing teammate Sylvia Kibet and Commonwealth Games champion Lucy Kabuu who pushed her all the way at the trials in Nairobi earlier this month.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

In the women’s 1500 metres Irene Jelegat who was added to the Olympics team on Monday will be hoping to celebrate her inclusion in style while Viola Kibiwott will hope to do better than in Rome where she placed 11th.

Together with Jelimo, Croatia’s World high jump champion Blanka Vlasic is other jackpot contender and she is expected to continue her quest for a share of jackpot with German’s Ariane Friedrich providing the main obstacle.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News