Halimah Nakaayi left the United States of America (USA) early this week with disappointment after an unfamiliar result at the Los Angeles Grand Prix in California.
She finished a distant ninth in a time of two minutes and 7.08 seconds, a stark contrast to victory at the same event two years ago.
That was, however, Nakaayi’s first competitive two-lap race of this season. The 2019 world champion’s schedule seems beefed up now.
On Friday, she will run in the women’s 800 metres event at the Wanda Diamond League leg in Doha, Qatar.
It will be another test to measure Nakaayi’s work in camp in Kaptagat, Kenya where she has been training in company of star Faith Kipyegon and coach Patrick Sang.
In Doha, Nakaayi will aim for a season best against familiar competitors like Olympic silver medalist Ethiopian Tsige Duguma and the in-form pairing of South African Prudence Sekgodiso and Vincentian Shafiqua Maloney.
The trio has this season posted under 1:58:00 and that’s the zone that Nakaayi desires to get into with her spikes.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Nakaayi will cross to the Netherlands to compete at the 45th FBK Games in Hengelo, still over the 800 metres. And with her personal best (PB) mark of 1:57.26, a win is realistic in Hengelo.
As well, Keneth Kiprop will be pushed by coach Addy Ruiter to go for victory when he lines-up with Dolphine Chelimo in the men’s 5000 metres race in Hengelo.
‘The target for Keneth is to win,’ Kiprop’s other coach Denis Okudach told this paper. For Chelimo, he is only recuperating from an injury.
Kiprop’s PB over the 12-and-a-half lap race stands at 13:00.49 and in good conditions, he can dip under the elusive 13-minute mark.
‘That would be very nice if it happens,’ added Okudach. Kiprop will be challenged by Dutch Mike Foppen, Eritrean Simon Amanuel and Irishman Darragh McElhinney, all who have posted under 13:03.00.
INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS – UGANDANS IN ACTION
FRI, JUNE 19
Doha Diamond League: Halimah Nakaayi (Women’s 800 Metres)
SUN, JUNE 21
FBK Games: Halimah Nakaayi (Women’s 800 Metres), Dolphine Chelimo and Keneth Kiprop (Men’s 5000 Metres)