Mens 1500m - Asbel Kipruto Kiprop v Gold Medal

Mens 1500m Final

Rashid Ramzi ran heat 4 of round 1. Ramzi destroyed the field running 3:32:89. He clearly wanted to see where he was at fitness wise having lost his way a little since his 2005 World Championship double. In his semi final he ran intelligently and sprinted away from the field before easing up. The raw times alone do not highlight the ease he won with. He starts the final as the odds on favourite to win.

However i think this is a massive over-reaction and in my book he is the 2nd favourite to win this.

Asbel Kipruto Kiprop has been completly overlooked. He is the current world junior cross country champion (it reads like a whos who of middle distance running) and last year he finished 4th in the world championships at just 18 years old. He won the other semi final in devastating fashion. Settling in last place he made a move towards the front with 500m to go and was not especially close to the lead at the bell. That final lap was 52 or 53 seconds (afraid memory fails me) and it was taken on the first guy to reach the line with 400m to go and was not Kiprops split which i estimate was 50-51 seconds.

To run that way takes extreme confidence in your own ability something Kiprop obviously has and why not? He goes into the final as the second fastest runner of 2008 in the field behind compatriot Choge who does not look on his best form.

If it is a slowly run final i cannot see anyone living with Kiprops final 400m. If its a fast final we know that Kiprop has the ability to run quickly. I cannot understand really why he doesnt go into the final as favourite. I would pen him in around 2.25.

Concerns are obviously his tactical naievity and young age but this is one of those bets you may look back on in years to come and wonder how you ever got such big odds. Kiprop has the makings of a star for years to come and he could well start that now.



Pick : Kiprop to win
Odds : 4.30
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Boylesports
Match Result : 2nd
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