Uganda’s Winnie Nanyondo will fancy her chances to stun favourite and Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon in the 1500m tonight in Ostrava, Czech at the 2020 Golden Spike meeting.
Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba has not made it to the start list seen by The-SportsNation, meaning that she will not take part as earlier reported.
Dibaba holds the 1500m Women World record which she set at 3:50.07 at Stade Luis II in Monaco on July 17, 2015.
Great Britain’s Laura Muir who holds the best time this year (World Lead – 3:57.86) in 1500m – she set last month in Stockholm – will also not take part after opting to race in 800m.
Last year’s winner in Ostrava, Ethiopia’s Guday Tsegay and the unstoppable Sifa Hassan will race in 5000m instead as well.
On paper, the competition will be amongst Nanyondo, Kipyegon and a fast rising Jemma Reekie of Great Britain in a race that will have 11 participants.
What Does Nanyondo Have In Store?
Nanyondo’s most recent race was in Monaco last month when she came eighth in the 1000m race.
She has not enjoyed enormous success in 1500m which is Kipyegon’s specialty. Its 800m which is her best, where she won bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth in Glasgow.
In Doha last year, Nanyondo came a lowly 11th clocking 4:00.63.
Her personal best in 1500m is 3:59.56 which she set in Rabat at the African Games.
Beating Kipyegon may be a big ask but an achievement within her reach. This will help her to get out of Halimah Nakaayi’s shadow who has enjoyed the light since triumphing last year in Doha.
Kipyegon is a current Olympic champion in the 1500n having won the Rio Olympics.
The Kenyan also won the gold medal at the 2017 World Championships and the silver medal at the 2019 World Championships.
Kipyegon, in her last races, has not shown signs of deterioration despite giving birth in June last year. She has won two back to back races in 1000m.
In the men’s 5000m, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo will go head to head with World Championships silver medallist Selemon Barega.
Kiplimo will be making his first track appearance since July 2018.
