NAIROBI, Aug. 27 (Xinhua)-- Olympics and World 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto is racing against time to be fit for the Kenya trials for the World Championships.
Though he has an automatic entry to go to Doha, Qatar to defend his title at the World Championships, he will have to convince the coaches he is ready for the contest after he pulled out of the Africa Games race midway citing a shoulder injury.
In May, Kipruto was forced to take a rest by the doctors after he suffered a recurrent foot fracture that has seen him stay out of competition until last weekend in Paris Diamond League, where he finished fifth.
"I could have finished the race, but as a precaution, I opted out to give my body a clear chance not to aggravate the injury and risk missing the World Championships," Kipruto said on Tuesday.
Kipruto's agent Michel Boeting said the athlete has been advised by the doctors to rest.
"In May Kipruto was forced to postpone the start of his season by cancelling the Doha Diamond League due to pain in his foot. He was diagnosed with early stages of stress-fracture in talus of left foot. He was advised to take rest," Boeting said.
But Kipruto says he will be fit to contest the world title in the water and hurdle race at the World championships urging his fans to have a little faith in his plans.
"I know the pressure is on me, but I can tell the fans to be patient and offer me time to get over the shoulder pain. The real Conseslus (Kipruto) will show up at the World Championships," he added.
In his absence, Kenya's Benjamin Kigen won gold ahead of Morocco's Soufane ElBakkali.
However, Kenya's head coach Julius Kirwa is still not convinced the country is ready to defend its turf in the water and hurdle race.
Last month, Kirwa hinted at Kenya recalling Ezekiel Kemboi and Brimin Kipruto out of retirement to compete in the water and hurdle race so as to safeguard the country's dominance in the sport.
"Nobody really can question the talent in Olympic and world champ Conseslus Kipruto. At 24-years-old he remains top of his game and hopeful he will make the team to World Championships. But with injuries, you can never be certain, so we need to plan," Kirwa said.
Kenya has dominated the steeplechase race since Edmonton event in 2001.
Kipruto has held Kenya's flag high since the retiring of Kemboi winning the IAAF Continental Cup, Commonwealth Games and African Championships.
"For me I like challenges and I will never go down without a fight that is I went to Morocco for Africa Games even though I was not 100 per cent fit," said Kipruto.
