NAIROBI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- World 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi says he will do everything to retain his title at the World Championships from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar.
Manangoi, primed as the heir to disgraced Asbel Kiprop who was banned for four years for doping, says his win at the season opener in Doha last week was a good signal.
"It was a good to start with a win at the same venue where the World Championships will be held. I have set the mark, now the important thing is to work hard throughout the buildup in the remaining stops in the 14-leg circuit so that I may be at the peak for the World Championships," he said on Friday in Nairobi.
The 26-year-old who bagged a bronze in the mixed relay at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships this year, will skip the Shanghai Diamond League on May 18 as his specialty will not be on offer.
"This year, the important thing is to win gold in Doha. Issue of fast time and world records are not being considered at the moment. But it is part of any athlete to always try to be the fastest in his discipline," he said.
Manangoi won gold in the 2017 World Championships in London, improving on second place finish in the 2015 championships in Beijing, China.
Alongside Timothy Cheruiyot, they have formed a formidable partnership which has proved hard to crack with the duo exchanging wins in virtually all the competitions they compete in.
Joining the duo is the fast-rising younger brother George Manangoi, who is the world and African Under-20 champion.
