New Vision (Kampala)
Norman Katende
22 August 2007
Kampala — Moses Kipsiro might give himself a great birthday gift at the IAAF World Athletics Championship by getting a podium finish in the 5000m competition in Osaka, Japan.
The Africa champion, who last month won a gold medal at the All Africa Games in Algiers, will be turning 22 on the day that he will be running the finals of the 5000m event.
With Africans dominating the distance, the fact that Kipsiro has emerged victorious in two of the continent's best meets would be an added confidence building advantage to the star who set two new national records over the 3000m in a space of eight days.
He will be partnered by new entrant Stephen Kiprotich, who only qualified for the event last month, as they try to put up a tactical race against Kenyan and Ethiopians aces to their game.
Kipsiro's advantage is that he is a mature runner, who always chases from behind until he feels time is ripe for him to break. Save for losing to Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele in the 3000m duel in Edinburgh, he has been outstanding in his attack style - thanks to his final kick.
And it will be the same that will make or undo him in his journey to ruling the world, after ruling Africa.
5,000m
Moses Kipsiro & Stephen Kiprotich
Personal bests
Kipsiro: 13:01.88
Kiprotich: 13:27.40
World Record: 12:37.35
African Record: 12:37.35
Meet Record: 12:52.79
National Record: 12:57.11
Position in Helsinki
Kipsiro 12th
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