NAIROBI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Emmanuel Korir is hopeful of success at the Africa Championships in Asaba, Nigeria, after visa complications denied him the chance to compete at Birmingham's World Indoor Championships in March.
The Texas-based Kenyan teenager has since resolved his visa situation, and will be in London on Saturday to compete in the Diamond League against some of the top names in the 800m race.
Speaking to Xinhua, Korir said he is running in London in preparation for the Africa Championships.
"I have no doubt I'm in good shape and ready to show it in London. Despite running with great athletes like Nijel Amos (Botswana) and Wycliffe Kinyamal (Kenya), I am sure I will emerge top. I have confidence in myself and will certainly show it in the race," said Korir on Friday.
The Kenyan warned that the London race will be tactical and that he will time his strides to perfection, in a bid to prove to the host nation that they were wrong to deny him entry to the country in March for the World Indoor Championships.
"The London Diamond League meet is important to me because it will also help me gauge where I rank and what strength have ahead of the Africa Championships," he added.
This year in Texas, Korir clocked 1:44.21 to set a new Kenyan record in the indoor 800m race, beating the 14-year old mark of 1:44.71 set by Joseph Mutua.
Last year, during the London World Championships, Korir fell in the semifinals despite being a favorite, after running a world leading time of 1:43.10 with victory in Monaco in July.
The 22-year-old has since lowered the African record of 1:44.52 set by Ethiopian Mohammed Aman at the Birmingham Grand Prix in February 2014.
Former World Junior champion Jonathan Kitilit and Ferguson Rotich will team up with Korir at the Africa Championships from August 1st to 5th, with the top two in the race expected to secure automatic qualification to compete at the IAAF Continental Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic in September.
However, Kinyamal, who won the 800m gold for Kenya at this year's Commonwealth Games, says he is also focused on clinching the continental ticket and will take the fight to Korir when they meet in Asaba.
"I have no doubt about my fitness and will be waiting for Korir in London. This is the type of opposition that will always inspire you to run a world leading time and I am happy to challenge him," said Kinyamal. Enditem