World 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Abraham Kibiwott, are among the top Kenyan athletes lined up for the 11th leg of the Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne to be held on August 26.

Kipruto, who has been training in Mosoriot, Nandi County is confident that he has prepared well and will be testing the waters in the event. Kipruto, who has been battling injuries after his triumph in Doha in 2019, is seeking to atone for lost time after missing the Olympic Games last year.

He finished fifth during the Athletics Kenya Track and Field Championships which acted as the trials for the Africa Senior Championships after clocking 8:32.24, before emerging in the same position during the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi .

Lower back injury

“I have been training well after my lower back injury healed and my target is to win gold. Though the field looks very stiff, I will try my best,” Kipruto told People Sport.

During the just-concluded Commonwealth Games Kibiwott had to weather a strong challenge from India’s Avinash Mukund Sable to win in 8:11.15. Mukund claimed silver in a Personal Best time of 8:11.20 as 2021 World Under 20 3,000m steeplechase Amos Serem grabbed bronze in 8:16.83.

Defending champion Conseslus Kipruto finished sixth in 8:34.98. Kibiwott said winning gold was an upgrade after he won silver at the Gold Coast event four years ago.

“I’m delighted to win gold and am happy with my performance. We are looking forward to winning the title at the World Championships in Budapest next year and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,” he added.