Kenya's Sum to focus on longer 1,500m race in Doha Diamond League

Former world 800 metre champion Eunice Sum will now try her hand at the 1,500m distance at the Diamond League in Doha on Friday.

Recently, Sum has suffered from poor form and injuries but she hopes to make a solid return to action in Doha, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Kenyan was forced to withdraw from the London World Championships last August because of illness.

"So far I am in top form. I have not competed anywhere this year and this will be a good start. I want to see what competition is there in the race and then I will make my judgement on how to go about it," she said on Monday.

Sum, who won gold in Moscow in 2013 and bronze in Beijing two years later, said she was devastated to miss out in London and will be hoping for a good run in the Diamond League.

"With no world championships or Olympics, the target is to compete at the Athletics World Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic. That demands that you compete in the continental championships first and that is what I aim for," she added.

In Doha, Sum will be up against compatriots Nelly Jepkosgei, Judith Kiyeng and Emily Cherotich.

The biggest competitor in the field will be Commonwealth Games 1,500m champion Caster Semenya and the Moroccan duo of Malika Akkaoui and Rababe Arafi.

--IANS

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