Ugandan runner Benjamin Kiplagat can hardly sleep or enjoy a meal. He is focused on one thing, breaking Kenyan dominance of 3,000 metres steeplechase at the Olympics.

The national champion and record holder (8:19.24) is Uganda's sole representative in the race synonymous with Kenyan runners. But Kiplagat, 19, has devised a strategy of changing the status quo. "I have moved to Iten, Kenya to train for the remaining days. I will get a chance of studying their (Kenyan athletes) tactics and should surely deny them a clean sweep," Kiplagat told Daily Monitor.

Kiplagat (8:19.24) won silver at the World Junior Championships in Poland last month behind Kenyan Janathan Ndiku (8:17.28). But Ndiku won't be in Beijing. It will be 2004 Olympic gold medallist Ezekiel Kemboi, World champion Brimin Kipruto and African champion Richard Matelong to represent Kenya.

And Kemboi stated after clinching his place on the team at the national trials: "I am the defending champion and I cannot allow anyone to take my gold." Kiplagat remains unfazed. "I have beaten Kipruto and was second to Matelong this year.

This shows I can outclass them on a good day," he noted. Kiplagat leaves for Beijing on August 13 with Boniface Kiprop, Justine Bayiga, Geoffrey Kusuro and marathoner Alex Malinga. Moses Kipsiro and Abraham Chepkirwok will connect from London.