By John Kwoba
NAIROBI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- World 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi of Kenya has put his rivals on the mark and intends to break the world record in the miler distance this season.
Manangoi will launch his Diamond League campaign in Shanghai on May 12.
Ruling out a straight attempt in Shanghai, Manangoi said he has two meets to make an attempt on the 20-year-old record.
Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj holds the world record time of 3 minutes and 26 seconds set on July 14, 1998 in Rome.
Manangoi boasts of the ninth fastest time in 1,500m of 3:28.80 set in Monaco in 2016.
But with no major championships in 2018, this is the best season for the Kenyan Armed Forces athlete to make his mark and join the elusive club of three athletes to have run under the 3:27 mark.
Manangoi's coach Bernard Ouma said they will decide on the venue of a world record attempt soon.
"In Shanghai the track is fast and Manangoi, who will team up with world silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot can test the waters by running fast time. They can make the course record. They will also be running in Eugene, Oregon on May 27 and in Monaco," said Ouma on Monday.
Former world champion Asbel Kiprop said after losing his title to Manangoi last year that his apprentice had the ability to run fast.
"I see Elijah as a fresh talent, a new guy, who will take the event to the next level," Kiprop said.
"He needs to run under the three minutes and 27 seconds to be sure he can make a world record attempt."
Manangoi will also target the Africa title during the continental championships due Aug 1-5 in Asaba, Nigeria where Africa will select its team for the IAAF Continental Cup planned for Sept 8-9 this year in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Enditem
