Reynolds QUIRIN (03/04/2007)

Kenya's rising star Asbel Kiprop was the main attraction of the 14th edition of the Mauritius International meeting held at the Maryse Justin Stadium in Réduit last weekend.

Kiprop, 18, in his first competition since winning the World junior Cross Country title in Mombasa over a week ago, was the clear winner of the 3000m covering the distance in 8:02.16, the tenth fastest time of the current season.

Fellow countryman, and winner of the past edition’s 3000m, Issak Sang was second in 8:13.44 and South Africa’s Alexander Motone finished third with 8:18.02.

Kiprop said: "The World Cross Country Championships were really my first appearance on the international scene. I’m very happy about being here in Mauritius for this international meet and to clinch a second consecutive success this season.

"I felt very at ease during the race, but unfortunately, it was not possible for me to run faster as we haven’t done specific speed sessions with my coach yet. So I went through the whole race on one pace"

"It’s definitely clear that it will be very tough for me to be selected for the World Championships in Osaka as there are too many valuable runners in Kenya," he added.

"I’m still young and I prefer to focus on the Olympic Games next year in Beijing. I sincerely hope to make it."

He now plans to concentrate on the 1500m for the rest of the season.

Buckland defeated

The big surprise of this year’s edition came during the 100m where for the first time since several years now, Stéphan Buckland, 30-year-old, was defeated.

South Africa’s Lee Roy Newton clinched the victory by clocking 10.45 while Buckland finished second with 10.56.

"I’m very happy about this victory as Stéphan Buckland is a world class sprinter and therefore a very tough opponent.

"But, on the other side, I’m not quite satisfied concerning my performance as I really wanted to run even faster," said Lee Roy Newton, who’s main objectives for this season are the All Africa Games in Algiers and the World Championships in Osaka with the 4x100m south African relay team.

In the High Jump event, the reigning African Champion, Botswana’s Kabelo Kgosiemang, had an easy win by jumping 2.20m.

The second place came to Jean-Claude Rabbath (2.15m) from Liberia as Boubacar Sere for Burkina Faso completed the podium with 2.15m too.

Click here to launch the full result of the meeting (pdf)

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