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World 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop will compete at St Sylvester 15km road race in Sao Paulo, Brazil slated on December 31.

Former world cross country champion Tirop will pad the streets of the famous Brazilian City in search of more honours on the road.

“I am ready for the race, my body is responding well in training and I am in good shape for any race now, I am just like when I was running in my younger years,” said Tirop.

Fresh from winning inaugural Tuskys Wareng 10km run last Sunday, Tirop continued with her good performance to win Ziwa Farmers 10km run over the weekend.

Tirop defended her title despite of the stiff competition from reigning Frankfurt marathon winner Valary Aiyabei, First Lady’s half marathon victor Brilliant Jepkorir and former Africa 2,000m Steeplechase champion Daisy Jepkemei for her third title in a row. 

No pressure

With her ambitions to run at 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Tirop cut the tape timing 31.33.09, followed in second by Sheila Chelangat clocking 31.37.2, Jepkorir was timed 31.46.7 to close the top three, as Aiyabei was placed fourth timed 31.50.0, in a hotly contested women race.

Tirop said the race was like her daily training in that she did not feel any pressure competing.

“I had no pressure coming to this race, it was just like my days training and am glad I retained my title” said Tirop.

In men category Africa junior cross country champion Nicholas Kimeli defended his title at the race that has contunied to attract more elite athletes from the running counties.

Kimeli, who finished second at Tuskys 10km run in Eldoret last sunday cut the tape in 28:10.5 beating former Discovery Cross country champion Josephat kipchirchir clocking 28:23.4 and upstarts Shadrack Kipngetich (28:35.2) and Weldon Kipkurui in 4th position. 

“Defending the title is not easy and I managed to do it after a heavy competiton. I know I have a problem when it comes to finishing and I have to work on it in the new season,” said Kimeli.