Nairobi — Kenya's new track star Asbel Kiprop is spoiling for a fight. Kiprop, the All Africa Games 1,500 meters gold medallist, now wants to take on the world's best over the distance in the global meet set for the Japanese city of Osaka, next weekend.

Kiprop, who is also the World Cross Country junior champion, told the Daily Nation yesterday during training that the only thing that could stop him from claiming glory in the 1,500 meters in Osaka is a natural disaster or illness.

His only credible challengers in Osaka are former compatriot Bernard Lagat, who now runs for the United States, Bahrain's Ali Bilal Mansur and the current 1,500 metres World champion, Rashid Ramzi. "I have a lot of respect for Lagat and had never thought of running against him. But I'll give him a run for his money," he said.

Kiprop's road to stardom didn't come any cheap, as he has in the past had to contend with defeat. "Before I started winning, I had to contend with lots of losses, but I'm glad they (defeats) helped me become a better runner," he said.

Growing up in the scenic Rift Valley - a region famed for its constant supply of athletics talent - Kiprop began running when he was only 13.

His father, David Kebenei, had big educational plans for his son and did not approve of his running. Ironically, Kebenei is also an athlete and was in the national team that took part in the 4th All Africa Games that were held in Nairobi. He finished fourth in the 1,500 meters. Kiprop's love for the track began at Simat School. Running in the Uasin Gishu District championships, he recorded an impressive personal best of 4:07. But as fate would have it, he never managed to finish his high school education, dropping out last year at Form Two. He then began fulltime training in Iten.

Training in Eldoret

Having set his eyes firmly on making it on the big stage, Kiprop enrolled at the Kipchoge Keino high performance-training center in Eldoret, a move that ended up being the turning twist to his glorious career thus far. Early this year, he took up his first major challenge when he decided to fight for a place in the national cross country team to the World Championships that were held in Mombasa. Unknown to him, he had just began his path to stardom. He displayed great form in Mombasa and easily won the junior 8km race.

"The victory was my turning point. I actually felt on top fo the world. I have never looked back since," he said. Buoyed by the success, Kiprop channeled his energy to the pan-African Games, where he reigned supreme in the 1,500 meters.

And now, he wants to take on the world's finest over the distance and establish himself as the next Hicham El Guerrouj, the Moroccan who used to rule the roost in the race.