World champ Cheruiyot schemes to seize Diamond League in Monaco

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, July 15, 2020
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NAIROBI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- World 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has warned there will be no love lost in Monaco on August 14 during the Diamond League clash with European champ Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

After poor weather, high altitude and lack of proper training connived to deny the Kenyan a win during the Impossible Games, when he raced against the Ingebrigtsen in a virtual meeting in Nairobi and Oslo in June, Cheruiyot is baying for blood.

The 24-year-old said he is thirsty for competition and victory and will take no prisoners when they two clash in Monaco in a month's time as track and field competition returns after a long layoff due to COVID-19.

"I have a month more to train. I started late because of the virus, but I have hit the road and am in rhythm now. In another three weeks, I hope to be at my full potential, capable of wresting the title in Monaco. Revenge against the Ingebrigtsen will be nice but anything can happen in the first race of the season. It is open to everyone," Cheruiyot told Xinhua on Wednesday in Nairobi.

Organizers of the Monaco Diamond League meeting, the first in a series of events set for August to October, said Ingebrigtsen brothers Filip and Jakob will contest the 1,500m while their senior Henrik Ingebrigtsen will run in the 5,000m.

"The Ingebrigtsen is also expected to compete in Stockholm on August 23 and they are likely to end their season at the Norwegian Championships in Bergen in September," said World Athletics.

Throw in Commonwealth Games champion Elijah Manangoi and his younger brother and world junior champion George Manangoi and Monaco debacle will blossom with talent too close to call.

Kenyans have won the last three meetings in Monaco with Manangoi senior claiming the title in 2017 while Cheruiyot triumphed in 2018 and last year.

Manangoi has been struggling with injury, which ruled him out of competition last year, forfeiting his world title to Cheruiyot without a fight.

But he has since shaken off the hamstring and knee injuries and will be ready for the contest.

"It would be nice to recapture the title. I have been out for long, without competition and title. I want to gauge my body against the best and see where I want to be. The target has always been to be ready for the Olympic Games," said Manangoi. Enditem

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