Masai plans world double

Kenya’s world 10,000m champion Linet Masai said on Thursday she hopes to compete in a distance double at next month’s world championships in Daegu.

With her place guaranteed in the 10,000m, Masai stepped up her campaign to be selected to run the 5,000m in the South Korean city,  when she comfortably won her semi-final race at the start of Kenyan  trials on Thursday.

   “I hoping to double-up in Daegu. I feel my body is in good shape  to handle both races,” said Masai, who beat the Berlin 5,000m silver medallist Sylvia Kibet into second place.

   Both athletes qualified for the final on Saturday.

   The men’s 1,500m looks set to be the most competitive event as a  number of athletes returned impressive times in the heats.

   Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop conceded it would be hard to make the team for Daegu after being forced to come from behind to win his race ahead of Nicholas Kemboi in a sprint finish.

   “I expect this to be the fastest trials ever and I am worried it  will not be easy to make the team,” said Kiprop, who would need to finish among the top three to gain a spot on the Kenyan world championships team.

   Collins Cheboi (3:40.9), Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:41.8), Haron Keitany (3:42.1) and Gideon Gathimba (3:43.3) led the qualifiers for the semi-finals, with the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth  Games champions, Augustine Choge (3:44.5) and Silas Kiplagat (3:44.7) also qualifying.

   Olympic women’s 1500m champion, Nancy Jebet Langat did not have to struggle hard to finish second in her heat behind newcomer and team-mate Helen Obiri in her qualifying race.

   Former world junior champion Irene Jelagat ran the fastest time of 4:14.7 to lead the qualifiers for the semi-finals on Friday.

   David Rudisha will be the big draw in the men’s 800m. The world record holder who led from the start to the finish in his first race at home this season said he was looking forward to the world championships.

   “I consider the world championships to be very important. That is why it is also important for me to win the trials,” said Rudisha, who narrowly missed advancing to the finals in Berlin in 2009.