Willis, Kiprop likely for top Christchurch meet

Nick Willis, the Beijing Olympic Games 1500m silver medallist, and Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, the gold medallist, could meet in a 1500 metres clash at the International Track Meet in Christchurch on March 18.

Kiprop and Willis were originally placed second and third in the Beijing final which was won by Moroccan-born Bahrain runner Rashid Ramzi.

Ramzi was later banned after returning a positive drug test and Kiprop and Willis were subsequently awarded the gold and silver medals.

The two will clash in a meeting in Melbourne a few days before the Christchurch meeting, and the organisers are hopeful they can attract the Kenyan across the Tasman.

If Kiprop cannot come to Christchurch, then the organisers hope to present Willis with his silver medal. Kiprop has received his gold medal.

Willis broke a long-standing New Zealand record in Birmingham, England, on Saturday. He ran 3min 35.80sec to break John Walker's New Zealand time of 3min 37.4sec set in California 31 years ago. But the time was only good enough for fifth.

Meanwhile, Australian world discus champion Dani Samuels will clash with former world champion, New Zealand's Beatrice Faumuina, at the QEII meeting.

- © Fairfax NZ News