|
NAIROBI, June 23-- Former world cross champion Agnes Tirop's journey from career threatening injury back to stardom is almost complete as she sealed her spot in the Kenya team winning the 10,000m race during the national trials in Nairobi on Friday. Tirop, 21, led from the front as she claimed the women's 10,000m in a fast time of 31:56.00 ahead of reigning world cross country champion Irene Cheptai 31:56.04 while Africa 10,000m winner Alice Aprot (32:16.07) was third. It is a victory for Tirop in her quest to overcome personal challenge of recovering fully from her right leg tendon injury, which she picked up on her way to win gold in Guiyang. The injury punctured her sails and derailed what looked to be a promising career for the then 19-year-old. "I am happy to make the Kenya team. Winning here was not that important because the war is not being fought here but in London. I want to show my critics that I have gone over the tough part of my injury and am ready to showcase my talent and win the world title," she said on Friday. It will be a tall order to demand Tirop to fill in the shoes of sensational Vivian Cheruiyot, the world champion and Olympic 5,000m winner. Cheruiyot, who has since moved up the ladder to the marathon distance, said she is confident Tirop and her two partners Cheptai and Aprot will weather the storm in London. "I believe they have the stamina and strength to fight against the Ethiopians. But it is not just about the opponent, they need to find their own strength and let their legs do the talking," she said. | 
