•He, however, noted that fourth place is a major improvement having finished seventh in Oregon last year.
•All the same, he said he would take the results in his stride and focus on next year's Olympic Games.
Image: ERICK BARASA
Abel Kipsang has admitted that he got his tactics wrong towards the end of the 1500m final, which cost him a bronze medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
"I was very close but things just happened and the medal slipped through my fingers," he said.
He said he saw Norwegian Gilje Nordas zoom past him too late and could not react.
"I knew I had a bronze and boom, it was snatched away from my mouth," he joked.
He, however, noted that fourth place is a major improvement for him having finished seventh in Oregon, United States, last year.
All the same, he said he would take the results in his stride and focus on next year's Olympic Games in Paris, France.
"I am going back on the drawing board. I hope to be better during the Paris 2024 Olympics," he noted.
Kipsang was fourth in a race where Great Britain's Josh Kerr pulled an upset against pre-race favourite, Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Kerr clocked 3:29.38 with Ingebrigtsen second in 3:29.65.
Another Norwegian, Gilje Nordas, clocked 3:29.68 to settle for the bronze medal with Kipsang fourth in 3:29.89. Reynold Cheruiyot placed eighth in 3:30.78
Kipsang said a review of their Budapest performance will help a great deal when they return to the drawing board.
Image: XINHUA
On the other hand, Cheruiyot said his body just 'locked' and could not respond as much as he wanted.
"I have never been in this situation and, therefore, I cannot really tell if it's the weather or simply the timing of the race," he said.
Cheruiyot said this being his first time in the senior ranks, he has learned a lot and the lessons will no doubt make him a better athlete in the near future.
He said things are changing in 1500m and they have to change with the times.
"This race is fast becoming a sprint and we must work on our speed and the finish. We have the endurance but the last 300m is mainly our undoing," he added.
He asked Athletics Kenya to organise early trials and ensure athletes stay in camp for a minimum of two months.
"Prior to this event, we were in camp for only a month and this was not enough," he said.
He said he would fly straight to Belgium for the Brussels Diamond League on September 8. He is considering the final Diamond League meeting in Eugene on September 16-17.
Day 7
Morning Session
Time Sex Event Round
11:05 M 100m Decathlon
11:10 M Javelin Qualification (A)
11:20 W High Jump Qualification
11:55 M Long Jump Decathlon
12:45 M Javelin Qualification (B)
13:20 M Shot Put Decathlon
Afternoon Session
Time Sex Event Round
19:30 M High Jump Decathlon
20:30 M 4x100m Relay Heats
20:38 W Triple Jump Final
21:00 W 4x100m Relay Heats
21:20 W Javelin Final
21:25 W 800m Semi-Final
22:08 M 400m Decathlon
22:40 W 200m Final
22:50 M 200m Final