NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The world's two fastest steeplechasers since the Rio Olympics Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto and American record holder Evan Jager will clash at the Prefontaine Classic meeting in Eugene on May 26.
Kipruto has been categorical and he will make his first attempt to break Qatar's Kenyan-born Saif Saaeed Shaheen world steeplechase record of 7:53.63 in USA.
"I have nothing to hold back. There are no major competitions lined up this season and the Diamond League offers that opportunity to try running world records. I will make my first attempt in Eugene and see how it goes. A second attempt will be in Monaco," said Kipruto Tuesday in Eldoret.
Kipruto and Jager will duel once again and will be joined by a stacked list that includes eight of the top 10 in world rankings.
"It is a classic field and at this level it has always been. But there is a chance of fast time and we will all go for it," he added.
Kipruto, 23, owns gold medals from Rio and last year's world championships and has medaled in every international championships he's started dating back to the 2011 world youth championships.
He kicked off the year earlier this month with a world-leading 8:10.08 from his first Commonwealth Games - the fastest ever achieved before the month of May.
Kipruto, three-time Diamond Trophy winner, was only 18 when he won his first Pre Classic race in 2013 in a dramatic finish with two-time Olympic gold medalist Ezekiel Kemboi. Kemboi crossed the finish line first but was disqualified for shoving, giving Kipruto the win.
"I have secured world and Olympic titles. I won in Commonwealth Games and Africa championships. Now what is missingis the world record," he said.
Jager, 29, is America's best steeplechaser and the silver medalist at Rio 2016. He claimed a bronze in London at last year's world championships.
