NAIROBI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Africa 1,500m champion Winny Chebet says she is braced for a bruising battle in bid to thwart European champion Sifan Hassan from winning the metric milers at Saturday's Shanghai Diamond League meeting in China.
Chebet, remains Kenya's best bet in the 1,500m race at a time Olympic Champion Faith Chepng'etich is yet to regain fitness after returning to training from motherhood.
However, she is determined to defend Kenya's fort in the four lap race, which the Hassan, an Ethiopian turned Dutch has vowed to attempt to take.
The Dutchwoman, who specializes in 5,000m is also keen to challenge the Shanghai meeting course record, but she has to plot how to beat Chebet and a clutch of quick Africans alongside USA's former world silver medalist, Brenda Martinez.
"I started the training slowly because I had a stiff neck. But I have since gained tremendously in speed and will be ready for the challenge. I was an 800m runner and shifting gears to 1,500m gives me the edge," said Chebet on Wednesday in Nairobi.
Chebet spearheads the Kenyan challenge, alongside Nelly Jepkosgei and Josephine Kiplangat.
The Kenyan duo will have to contend with Ethiopian trio of Alemu Habitan, Dawit Seyaum and Gudaf Tsegay, as well as Hassan Sifan of Netherlands, Arafi Rababe of Morocco and Mitchell Morgan of Australia.
"Shanghai is a special place for me to race. It provides a good test on the progress I have made so far and check how I rank against some athletes who have already peaked. I am prepared for the race. I'm also happy that I have no injury concerns," added Chebet.
World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech heads a strong Kenyan field in the water and barrier event when she lines up alongside world under 20 junior champion Celliphine Chespol, Mercy Chepkirui, Fancy Cherono, Daisy Jepkemei, Norah Jeruto, Caroline Tuigong and former world champion Hyvin Kiyeng.
Olympic javelin silver medalist Julius Yego, despite winning the African title in Asaba, Nigeria in August 2018 and finishing fourth at the IAAF Continental Championships in Ostrava a month later, says he must get his form back to throw over 90 minutes to survive the Germany onslaught in the competition.
"Last year has been really disappointing. But I remain hopeful now that I am going into a new season without an injury for the first time since I got injured in Rio Olympic Games in 2016," said Yego.
"The season is long and heading to Shanghai, my main aim is to gauge myself as I begin the journey towards the World Championships in Doha later in the year."
Yego, who targets 90 meter throw, faces Germans world champion Johannes Vetter, Olympic winner Thomas Rohler, Commonwealth Games winner Neeraj Chopra and World silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic.
"One must throw over 90 meters to remain in contention for a medal. That is my target in Shanghai," said Yego.
