NAIROBI, Kenya, August 1- More Daegu Worlds bound athletes continued to trickle into residential training camp on Monday as training for the August 27 to September 4 global showpiece entered the second week.
Some of the runners who starred at Friday’s Stockholm Samsung Diamond League meeting including world women 5000m champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, opted to report to camp before asking leave to travel home.
“They came here and dropped their things and asked to travel to Eldoret. They will be here tomorrow (Tuesday),” head coach, Peter Mathu, said.
Commenting on the performances posted by athletes in the Daegu bound team in Stockholm, the coach enthused, “The shape they are in is very encouraging and it has made our work easier since what we shall be left to do is to maintain their form and sharpen their tactics.”
Cheruiyot blasted to a world lead and Kenyan record of 14:20.87, making mince meat of poor conditions and she was quick to predict a sub 14 world record for her in the aftermath.
She has declared her intentions to aim for the distance double in Daegu and underlined her form by winning the Kenyan Trial in the 10000m.
US based Sally Kipyego, who was her bridesmaid at the Trials and Stockholm, also reported to camp as well as Berlin 5000m silver winner, Sylvia Kibet, who finished third at the DN Galan meeting.
World 3000m junior champion and winner of the men 5000m Trial, Isaiah Kiplangat Koech also reported to the team’s base in readiness for his first senior call-up to Team Kenya.
“So far we have 16 in camp but 23 have reported. Others are on the way and this is the week we shall embark on serious training and tactical shaping,” Mathu proclaimed.
Distance athletes started checking in over the weekend to follow the men 10000m, race walkers and sprinters who were the first to arrive when the camp was opened on Tuesday.