The 2020 Olympic Games silver medallist, Timothy Cheruiyot remains undaunted by Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen despite suffering two losses to him this year.
The five-time Diamond League winner has been touted as one of the athletes to watch in men's 1500m considering his long-time rivalry with Ingebrigtsen.
This year, Ingebrigtsen has remained supreme winning the two encounters they have had with Cheruiyot.
The first showdown was at the Oslo Diamond League on May 30, where Ingebrigtsen (3:29.74) edged out Cheruiyot (3:29.74) with Azeddine Habz of France rounding out the podium in 3:30.80.
Their latest encounter was at the Monaco Diamond League on July 12, where Ingebrigtsen set a world-leading time of 3:26.73, besting Cheruiyot again. Cheruiyot clocked 3:28.71 with Brian Komen placing third with 3:28.80.
Ingebrigtsen also got the best of Cheruiyot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, beating him to the crown in 3:28.32. Cheruiyot settled for silver in 3:29.01 with Britain's Josh Kerr taking bronze in 3:29.05.
Despite recent results, Cheruiyot is unfazed by the Norwegian's threat ahead of their much-anticipated clash in Paris.
“This is a championship and it’s very much different from Diamond League, where there are pacesetters,” Cheruiyot remarked.
He also revealed that being smart and sticking to his game plan would be key to outsmarting the Norwegian.
“I have to be smart and focused in Paris. If I stick to the game plan, anything is possible in Paris,” he added.
In Paris, Cheruiyot, 28, will be joined by 2022 World U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot and African champion Brian Komen.
“We need to work as a team with Reynold and Komen to ensure we get to the final if we are to secure the podium sweep,” he added.
After an injury at last year's World Championships in Budapest that sidelined him for nine months, Cheruiyot said he is back to top form.
“I have taken part in Diamond League meetings to get my body back after my injury last year at the World Championships. My body is okay now and I thank God,” he added.
In Budapest, Cheruiyot was eliminated in the semis after finishing ninth in the second heat in 3:37.40. Kerr (3:29.38), Ingebrigtsen (3:29.65) and Narve Nordas (3:29.68) went on to claim the podium.
Apart from the Oslo and Monaco meetings, Cheruiyot also participated in the Doha Diamond League finishing second (3:32.67) behind Komen 93:32.43) and ahead of Reynold (3:32.96).
He placed fourth at the Kenya Championships on May 21 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in 3:40.23 to trail Boaz Kiprugut (3:39.23), Josphat Kipkirui (3:38.74), and Komen (3:37.91).
Cheruiyot also took part in the 800m at the Kip Keino classic on April 20 placing seventh with a time of 1:46.56.
"Training has been good. I am just refining a few areas to be ready for the race in Paris," he said. The men's 1,500m event is set to begin on Friday with the heats.