Ninth should be Judith Jeptum Korir after she warms up by pacing Nagoya. Had a stellar year in 2022 with a PB of 2.18.20 when second at Worlds and a fourth in London. Last year was 2 places further back in the British capital.
Next may be Zeineba Yimer who has four sub 2.20’s. DNF last Olympics then eighth in London later that year. Was fourth in Berlin last year in 2.19.07
Has withdrawn, so Hiwot Gebrekidan now becomes tenth. PB of 2.17.59 when third in Valencia last dec. Eighth here last year, fifth in Tokyo the year before, and second in Berlin in 2021.
I am writing most of these in the context of athletes making the Olympics, but not this one. Hellen Obiri will win as defending champ and is a lock for Kenya in Paris. Also won NY last year.
This field supposedly has seven athletes with sub 2.19 pb’s in it. I have none of those finishing among the first four.
I imagine a lot of experts would consider quicker PB’s as the first qualifier in formulating their finishing order. From my experience like at Tokyo in 2022 when I chose the first nine women in order, just swapping third and fourth; I have better ways to assess potential and form.
Tipping a surprise winner because the competition for the 6 places in the Olympic teams of Kenya and Ethiopia may be just the carrot needed. Mohamed Esa is still young but already has some quality results. 5th in Amsterdam in 2022 for his PB of 2.05.05. Second in Tokyo last year then 8th in Dec in Valencia in 2.05.40
Does six downvotes mean 6 who think Esa cannot be first to complete the distance?
This field supposedly has seven athletes with sub 2.19 pb’s in it. I have none of those finishing among the first four.
I imagine a lot of experts would consider quicker PB’s as the first qualifier in formulating their finishing order. From my experience like at Tokyo in 2022 when I chose the first nine women in order, just swapping third and fourth; I have better ways to assess potential and form.
Eleventh female could be Meseret Belete, winner in Amsterdam last year in 2.18.21
Next is Shura Kitata, four times top 2 at a major. I chose him in front of Geay, Osaka, and Mpofu because they have bigger fish to fry in Paris. More stats soon
12th man may be Isaac Mpofu. Twelfth in Valencia in 2022 in 2.06.48. Poor 19th here last year but tenth at Worlds in 2022
I imagine a lot of experts would consider quicker PB’s as the first qualifier in formulating their finishing order. From my experience like at Tokyo in 2022 when I chose the first nine women in order, just swapping third and fourth; I have better ways to assess potential and form.
Eleventh female could be Meseret Belete, winner in Amsterdam last year in 2.18.21
Next could be Tadu Teshome, 5th in Chicago and eighth in London last year. PB of 2.17.36 when fourth in Valencia in 2022
13th man might be the Eritrean steepler who was fifth at the last Olympics, on debut here
Next should be the man mentioned by J.Gault in the preview this week as a chance here, John Korir. Third in Chicago in 2022 in 2.05.01 after 4th there the previous year. Magnificent over the half in RAK in Feb when second in 58.50
13th man might be the Eritrean steepler who was fifth at the last Olympics, on debut here
Next should be the man mentioned by J.Gault in the preview this week as a chance here, John Korir. Third in Chicago in 2022 in 2.05.01 after 4th there the previous year. Magnificent over the half in RAK in Feb when second in 58.50
Elkanah Kibet could be next. Fourth in the Olympic trial ten weeks ago. PB of 2.09.07 here in 2022. Ninth placed on that day
14th woman might be Tiruye Mesfin, only 21yo. Sixth in Valencia in 2022 in 2.18.47 then second last April in Hamburg in 2.20.18
Next may be Workenesh Edesa, four times top 7 in a major. Quickest of those was Berlin in 2022 when fourth in 2.18.51. Identical time when winning Osaka this last January. Seventh last year in Berlin in 2.19.40
Next lady could be Worknesh Degefa, who is well in the mix to represent Ethiopia in Paris. In fact, like Lemma among the men, has the runs already on the board and may harm her selection chances with an off day so soon after Valencia. Won here in 2019 and ran her PB of 2.15.51 in winning in the Spanish city in Dec.
Second could be defending champ, Evans Chebet. PB off 2.03.00 when winning Valencia in 2020. Won NY in 2022 and the last two here
Next should be Sisay Lemma. Won Valencia just last month in 2.01.48. Won London in 2021. Has thirds at Tokyo and Berlin. Fourth in Chicago back in 2017
This field supposedly has seven athletes with sub 2.19 pb’s in it. I have none of those finishing among the first four.
Second woman may be Senbere Teferi. PB off 2.19.21 when fifth in Berlin last year. Finally, after many attempts, longer distance times are matching 5k and 10k efforts
The pace reminds me of that year in London when Keitany jogged the first half before having a ten percent negative split. There is no Mary here.
Second could be defending champ, Evans Chebet. PB off 2.03.00 when winning Valencia in 2020. Won NY in 2022 and the last two here
Next should be Sisay Lemma. Won Valencia just last month in 2.01.48. Won London in 2021. Has thirds at Tokyo and Berlin. Fourth in Chicago back in 2017
Top 3 wrong order, just need Obiri, Teferi, Lokedi top 3 now