Former Youth Olympics silver medallist Amos Kirui will defend his men’s 3000m steeplechase title in a crowded field at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday.
The steeplechase has attracted a strong field of 14 athletes from three nations, with only Uganda’s Elphas Ndiwa sneaking into a start list dominated by Ethiopia and Kenya.
Kirui destroyed the field last season, beating two-time champion Abraham Kibiwott to second.
The former Africa Youth Games bronze medallist hopes to repeat the feat this year when the event relocates to Nyayo Stadium from its traditional home of Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Kirui believes a win at the Kip Keino will motivate him as he prepares for the 2024 Olympic Paris Games.
“Kenya has many able athletes. This has challenged me to work harder this year. I aim to be a permanent fixture in Team Kenya,” the former world U-20 champion underlined earlier in the season.
Of all the entries, Kirui is wary of the marauding Kibiwot, who has vowed to reclaim his gong.
Kibiwot won the inaugural edition in 2020 and again in 2022 and will seek a hat trick this year.
The 2021 edition was won by world champion El Bakkali Soufiane of Morocco. The Olympic champion’s absence is a great reprieve to Kirui and Kibiwot.
“I missed last year’s victory by a whisker but I’m targeting another gold this season. I will try my best to reclaim the title, it will be so great for me if I win,” said the Kenya Police runner.
He has been running in the local circuit with the Kenya Police Cross Country Championships and the Sirikwa Classic at the top of the bill.
Just like Kirui, Kibiwot hopes to punch a ticket to the Paris Olympics. Since its inception, only Ethiopia and Morocco have denied Kenya clean sweeps in the steeple — Bakkali’s gold in 2021 and Samuel Dugina’s silver in 2022.
Ethiopia have sent a strong squad including Milkesa Fikadu, who finished fifth at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, in March. Others are Hailemaryam Amare, Finka Fikadu, Hirko Hailu and Feyisa Mengistu.
Other Kenyan hopefuls include Mathew Kosgei, Amos Serem, Benjamin Kigen, Lawrence Kemboi, Wilberfoce Kones and Kiplimo Nabei.