Men’s 1500m
Eclipsing Hicham El Guerrouj’s 17-year old WR of 3:26.00 would be classified as a daunting task any day: the Morrocan holds both the WR and World Championships records, and won four consecutive world titles in the event. However, two-time world champion, Asbel Kiprop has shown that he is capable of achieving great feats given the right conditions.
The Kenyan stunned an impressive lineup at the Monaco Diamond League only last month, storming to victory with a lifetime best and World Lead (WL) of 3:26.69, leaving Olympic champion, Taoufik Makhloufi and 5000m/10000m Olympic GOLD medallist, Mo Farah trailing behind. The mark is the third fastest ever as only El Guerrouj and Bernard Lagat have gone faster.
A week later, he came from behind to win the 1 Mile at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games. Barring any injuries, the 26-year old will hope to go faster in Beijing as he is less than a second away from the WR. His mark in Monaco is already faster than the World Championships record of 3:27.65 set by El Guerrouj in 1999, and if the 1500m WR is to go down, Kiprop is just the right man for the job.
None of his other contenders seem to be in a position to break the WR. However a number of them will be keen on creating an upset, and Kiprop would have to be on the lookout for Makhloufi as the Algerian would be looking forward to adding the world title to his Olympic GOLD medal. Makhloufi is No. 2 on the 2015 standings with 3:28.75, while Morocco’s Abdalaati Iguider follows with 3:28.79.
USA’s Matthew Centrowitz who picked Silver in Moscow two years ago, and Djibouti’s record holder Ayanleh Souleiman are potential threats to Kiprop’s title defence and WR challenge, and will need to be kept at bay as well. Hopefully, he will be spurred on by the competition and go on to create history at the Beijing World Championships
Very good piece. I certainly expect the middle distance races record to go down…. The women’s 100m? I doubt!
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Genzebe Dibaba, a proud of world athletic
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