Celliphine Chespol will be seeking to defend Kenya's 3,000m women’s steeplechase title on Thursday July 20 at the 2020 World Athletics Championships that is underway in Eugene, United States.
The 23-year-old is the only Kenyan athlete in the final which is slated for 0545hrs East African time. Other Kenya representatives Purity Kirui and Jackline Chepkoech failed to make it to the final of the star-studded race.
Jackline who was the fastest Kenyan runner in the squad that traveled to Oregon clocked 9:27.50 to register a sixth place finish in heat one while Kirui failed to sail through after finishing 10th in a race won by Alice Finot of France.
Reigning world record holder Beatrice Sotinik Chepkoech pulled out of Kenya’s team a few days before the start of the championships due to personal reasons.
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Chepkoech is also the defending champion. She won gold at the 2019 edition that was staged in Doha, Qatar after leading from the start to the finishing line.
Chespol, who smashed the world junior record five years ago, will line up against two Kenyan internationals who switched their allegiance to other nations. Kenyan-born Winfred Mutile Yavi who is the race favorite will be representing Bahrain while Norah Jeruto Tanui will be turning up in Kazakhstan's colors.
Speaking ahead of the race, Chespol revealed that despite the pressure to deliver, she is ready to take on some of the best athletes in the world currently.
“Jeruto and Yavi are strong. You can never underrate Peruth. Coburn and Frerichs will be at home. There is pressure, but I am ready,” Chespol was quoted by Nation Sports.
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Yavi has been in fine form this year winning several races. She also ran the fastest 3,000m steeplechase race of 2022 last month. The 22-year-old is also the current Asian champion.
Jeruto who is the 2016 African champion will be the most experienced among the athletes with Kenyan roots in that final. She was among the four Kenyan athletes who switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in March this year.
Uganda’s reigning Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai and former 2017 world championships winner Emma Coburn will also be in contention.
Other athletes to watch in the race which promises to be a thriller include United States Courtney Frerichs and Ethiopian duo of Werkuha Gatechew and Mekides Abebe.
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