World athletics Championships debutant Ferguson Rotich has admitted there is a lot of pressure on the 800m team to defend David Rudisha's title in Moscow next month.

The 23-year-old Rotich, who rose to the limelight just months ago, observed that being a new team and with huge expectations, they feel they have to go an extra mile to fit into Rudisha's shoes. The world record holder and Olympic champion will miss the championships with a knee injury.

"Yes, the pressure is so much. We know Kenyans expect to see that medal back at home. So far, the going is excellent and we hope to extend our training and culminate in retaining the title."

"We are working as a team and we don't care who will win it (gold medal) as far as it's one of us. That's the most important thing," added Rotich.

"I am, however, seeing this as a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the three of us to prove that we can take over from Rudisha in representing the country in the race.

"But this does not mean we will not miss him. We will and I wish he was thereto give us the inspiration. "He has always spared time to advice us and for now I can only wish him quick recovery.

Rotich, who started competitive running nine months ago, could however, not hide his joy of making the team to Moscow. "It's such an honour to represent the country especially in such a competition," he admitted. He will partner Anthony Chemut and Jeremiah Mutai in Moscow.

"It's such a young team but we should not be written off as yet," said Ferguson. "We are ready for it and the coaches are working very had in ensuring we are in good shape both psychologically and physically as we prepare for the tough task ahead.

Elsewhere,

Kenya's representatives in the 5,000m at the World Championships in Moscow are working on their finishing kick in a bid to keep pace with their Ethiopian rivals. Speaking at the team's training base at Kasarani yesterday, Olympic 5,000m bronze medallist, Thomas Longosiwa said they have realised their opponents are always strong on in final lap and need to work on their speed if they expect anything in Moscow.

"Finishing kick has always been our undoing and we are working on this with the help of coaches," he said. Longosiwa will represent Kenya in the event alongside Isaiah 'Chairman' Kiplagat and Edwin Soi.

Longosiwa said Kenyans have what it takes to sweep the board if they can perfect on their finishing act. He was part of the Kenyan team to the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, where he finished sixth. He said he will be looking forward for a podium finish this time round.

"Missing out on the medal bracket was a big blow for me. I want to make up for that and i hope everything goes according to plan," he said.

Longosiwa is, however, wary of Olympic 5,000m champion Mo Farah from Britain. He said Farah has always capitalised on Kenya's poor running tactics to steal the show. "We always do the donkey work in the race by setting the pace before fading out and paving way for others to call the shots," he noted.