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AFP/TNN
Nairobi
Kenyan middle-distance champion Hellen Obiri said on Wednesday she will compete in both the 5k and 10k races at the IAAF World athletics Championships in Doha next month.
Obiri, 29, the current world 5,000m champion, aims to become one of the rare athletes to win over both distances at the same event.
“Since I have a wild card for the 5,000m in Doha, I feel it is the right time to run both the 5k and 10k. The humid weather has been favourable to me the three times I have ran in the Qatari capital,” Obiri told AFP.
“I know that this is a big task but I am going to intensify my training in these remaining five weeks before we travel to Doha.”
Obiri qualified for the 10k race by coming second behind world bronze medallist Agnes Tirop in the Kenyan trials on Wednesday. Rosemary Wanjiru finished third in the qualifying race.
The Kenyan men’s team will be led by 2015 World 10,000m bronze medallist and three-time World half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, who won the men’s race, ahead of Rhonex Kipruto and Rogers Kwemoi.
Earlier in May, Obiri had revealed that she will target IAAF World Championships Doha 2019 success over both 5000m and 10,000m in Doha as part of her plan to bow out from track competition on a high.
The Kenyan won gold over the shorter distance in London two years ago and is focused on retaining her title in the Qatari capital. She admits, however, that a full-time switch to road running is in the offing after next year’s Tokyo Olympics and, with that in mind, also wants to tackle the 25-lap event for the first time.
“My main target is to retain my title and then most probably I will focus on the double – 5000m and 10,000m,” the 29-year-old had said in an interview.
“It’s a little bit worrying for me to be in top shape now because it’s a long, long season. I’m worried because I want to maintain that shape so I will relax a little bit and then aim to peak around August. I have to maintain until October.
“I will watch my diet, aim to stay injury-free and will start my hard training from July.”
The Olympic silver medallist is not one to shy away from pushing herself as part of her preparations.
“When it comes to training you have to be focused,” said the athlete who is coached by Ricky Simms. “Without discipline you cannot go anywhere so you need to discipline yourself so you can do the workout and do the training.
“For me, I like training with men and having male pacemakers. When you train with men they will push you so when it comes to racing ladies competing will be easier. I like chasing men in training – when I see someone in front then I want to pass them.
“In track, if you train well – you can achieve anything you want.”
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22/08/2019
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