The 2022 world Indoor 1,500m bronze medalist, Abel Kipsang has reiterated his desire to storm the medal podium again in Budapest, Hungary.
Kipsang, who punched his ticket to the annual global athletics extravaganza at the national trials on July 8, said he feels he is in good shape to vanquish the field on his way to glory.
"I've trained well for the championships and my aim is to clinch the title in Budapest next month. The worst I would expect is a bronze," Kipsang stated.
"I strongly feel my body is in top shape. I'm hoping to accomplish a lot in Budapest," he added.
Kipsang initially secured a qualification time at the Kip Keino Classic on May 13, where he clocked 3:32.70 minutes to finish second to Reynold Kipkorir, who won in 3:32.01.
He confirmed his spot on the plane to the Hungarian capital at the national trials on July 8, where he ran 3:34.30 to emerge second behind Timothy Cheruiyot who breasted the tape in 3:34.01.
Despite playing the second fiddle in his main races this season, Kipsang is confident of turning the tables on his compatriots to assert authority at the National Athletics Centre, where the events will be staged.
He has vowed to give Kipkorir and Cheruiyot a run for their money after they both punched tickets to the games.
"They are both gifted athletes and I respect them a lot. However, in a competition, anything is bound to happen. It doesn't mean they'll always beat me because they did so earlier.
"He, however, said his key objective is to post a masterclass act in Hungary. The National Police officer vowed to lower his personal best time of 3:31.65, which he set at the Tokyo Games last year.
"All in all, I'm not training with any particular opponent in mind. It's all about getting the greatest time possible to give me an advantage in competition."
"I'll be out to better my time which currently stands at 3:29.56.
"Kipsang has been honing his skills at the Traffic Police headquarters training ground under the watchful eye of legendary athletics coach Alfred Sang.
He will rely primarily on his extensive knowledge and superior skill to steer himself to the desired heights.
His career took off at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, where he wrapped up fourth in the 800m with a time of 1:45.43.
On June 9, 2021, in Marseille, he ran a personal best of 3:32.6 in the 1500m. He had placed third at the Kenyan Olympic trials 10 days earlier, securing his spot in the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In 2022, he won a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, clocking a personal best of 3:33.36 and finishing behind Samuel Tefera (3:32.77) and Ingebrigtsen (3:33.02).
