Ugandan runners Jacob Araptany and Benjamin Kiplagat have not been able to compete actively ever since last year’s London Olympics.
The displays in the London Olympic stadium were below par which instigates something when they return to the track on Saturday.
The pair will feature in the 3000m steeplechase race as they start their international season at the IAAF Diamond League Meet in Shanghai, China.
“I have prepared well for this season,” Kiplagat, who left for Asia on Wednesday said. The national record holder has been training in eastern town of Eldoret since December.
“There are top athletes in China but i am ready for the competition.” he told Kawowo Sports on phone from Eldoret earlier this week.
The 13th World Athletics Championships is the main thing on every elite athlete’s mind all around the world and Kiplagat and Araptany are no different.
“We did not perform to our expectations in London but we want to change that this year,” Araptany said. The 21-year-old, who has been training in Kween and Kapchorwa, has struggled with off-season iinjuries just like Kiplagat.
“2013 offers us another chance, we want to leave a mark in Moscow.” he added.
Ever since last summer’s mediocre performances at the London Olympics, Ugandan runners Benjamin Kiplagat and Jacob Araptany had not returned to competitive action.
The close to a year’s homework will be showed when they run alongside a pack of ten Kenyans including Olympic bronze medallist Abel Mutai, Paul Koech, Jairus Kipchoge and Brimin Kipruto who holds a personal best of 7:53.64.
Home boy Lian Xiangqian, Moroccan Brahim Taleb, Canadian pair of Alexandre Geneste and Chris Winter will also line up on the same track.
“We have run with most of them before but i am confident, we’ll challenge” Kiplagat said.
Currently, the weather is so humid in China and all around Asia, something that could also affect the proceedings.
“We are well aware, we have run there before and we hope to cope up.” the 24-year-old Kiplagat added.
Also, Janet Achola will run in the 5000m race alongside Olympic champion Ethiopian Mersarat Defar, a handful of Kenyans and other Ethiopian ladies.
Achola, who ran the 1500m in London last year, secured a late ticket to Shanghai and there is a possibility of making the Moscow mark.