WRITTEN FOR THE IAAF WEBSITE
The stage is set for a thrilling battle between the best of Ethiopia and Kenya, as four men from the two neighbouring nations look equally capable of storming to glory in what will surely turn into a race highly dependant on team tactics.
Hagos Gebrhiwet leads Ethiopia’s hopes off the back of his 7:37.91 victory in Karlsruhe and second place in Boston, and the 23-year-old Olympic 5,000m bronze medalist and 2012 world outdoor 5,000m silver medalist will be in strong contention for his first major international championship gold medal here.
His compatriot, Yomif Kejelcha – the defending champion and the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Tour winner – has enjoyed an impressive winter campaign over varying distances, with the 20-year-old recording lifetime bests over the mile (3:56.95 in Seattle), 3,000m (7:38.67 for second place in Karlsruhe) and over 5,000m (a world-leading 13:34.67 also on the same day in Seattle).
The world outdoor 5,000m fourth-placer placed third in Glasgow last weekend with 7:39.36 and also stands a strong chance of gold, as does a third Ethiopian – Selemon Barega, who can realistically ensure an Ethiopian one-two-three could be on the cards.
The world leader with 7:36.64 courtesy of his swift win in Lievin earlier this month, 18-year-old Barega has taken the 2016 world junior crown and the 2017 world youth crown – could a 2018 global senior title be the next progressive step for the young East African star?
Meanwhile, Kenyan pair, Bethwel Birgen and Davis Kiplangat are in strong form this season, most notably 19-year-old 2015 world youth silver medalist, Kiplangat who won the Glasgow 1500m and followed that performance up with a 7:40.12 lifetime best.
But, Olympic 5,000m silver medalist, Paul Chelimo of the USA is another with winning intentions. The 27-year-old’s season has been lacklustre until his 7:39.10 runner-up position in Glasgow, indicating him rounding into form at just the right time.
Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider, the 2012 world indoor 1500m champion and Olympic 1500m bronze medalist will be aiming to better his fourth-place finish from the 2016 event, and another athlete to watch will be Spain’s European indoor 3,000m champion, Adel Mechaal who improved his personal best by over six seconds for fourth in Karlsruhe with 7:40.14.
