NAIROBI, Kenya, April 26- Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo, latest comeback effort is set to continue at the fourth National Bank of Kenya/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting in Mumias this weekend.
According to her manager, Barnabas Korir, Jelimo will feature in her speciality two-lap race as she tries to gather steam ahead of the forthcoming track season that will culminate with the August World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Korir added the star who took the world by storm in 2008 with an unbeaten 13 race sequance that landed her the Olympic title is determined to make the Kenya team to Worlds where she exited at the semifinal stage at the last running in Berlin, Germany in 2009.
"She is back and focused and I will not be surprised to see her back at the top," the manager asserted.
Jelimo featured in the 200m and 1500m races during the second meeting in Narok but skipped the third in Kisii, a week ago.
In Mumias, the Olympic champion who has won only one race since her barnstorming season will be up against Cuban Yusueysis Sautiusti from the IOC High Performance Centre in Eldoret who won over the distance at the Kisii meeting.
Others expected to push here will be Uganda’s Annette Negesa and Viola Kibiwott, who finished second and third during the third event of the local track and field series.
The Cuban posted an impressive 2:03 to set pace for those who want to make the Kenya team in the event.
Apart from women’s 800m showdown, focus will be on the 100m and 200m dash events by virtue of the fact Western Province produces sprinters.
The women’s 200m is expected to be interesting with Grace Kidake bidding to impress the home fans. She however faces stiff competition from Milka Ndoro, who won the event in Kisii.
Maureen Cherono and Agnes Aneno will be the other athletes to watch in the event. However, there is a new kid on the block in the shape of Roselyn Indimuli from the Armed Forces, who has promised to set Mumias complex on fire.
According to Athletics Kenya (AK) Western branch chairman, Henry Alukhaba, a number of Ugandan runners have confirmed participation in the Mumias event.
"This will be good build-up for the Ugandans because of the proximity of the distance between their country and here," he said.
Alukhaba disclosed Pole vault and High jump field events will not be staged due to lack of landing gear.
Action starts on Friday morning with the women’s Hammer throw finals and concludes the next day.
Follow the author on http://twitter.com/KarolBaghEEH