Cherotich out to accomplish double mission in World Athletics U20 Trials

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 2 – After bagging a ticket to represent the country in the upcoming World Athletics Under-20 Championships in women’s 5000m, Maureen Cherotich will be out to aim to double when she competes in the 1500m as the Kenyan trials conclude Saturday at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani.

With only two finals on the cards Friday, the women’s 5000m started off the day and it did not disappoint as Cherotich representing South Rift crossed the line first in a time of 15:04:00, beating Zenah Jeptoo (15:46:20) to second place and automatically qualify for the postponed games while Brenda Jepchumba settled for third (16:01.0) and will now wait to see if she will qualify as per required in the selection criteria where the third athlete will be decided by a panel of technical official.

“Winning the 5000m has given me that much needed motivation to go ahead and try and double in the forthcoming World Athletics Under-20 Championships. I am ready to double in 1500m and 5000m. We had a good race and hopefully qualify in the two races,” Cherotich, who was fourth-placed at the 2019 Africa Under-20 Championships, underscored.

On the other hand, Jeptoo, who was pre-race favourite after having experience when she made the team to the canceled 2021 Africa Cross Country Championships, said she miscalculated her final lap to slow down and give Cherotich and edge.

“I have picked up valuable lessons from this race, the most important thing is that I have qualified for the World Championships now I will go and work on my speed and endurance,” Jebet, a Form Three Student at Riruta Secondary School, said after the race.

In the other final, the men’s 400n hurdles, Peter Kithome of Southern won the race in a time of 51.53 seconds ahead of Allocius Kipngetich representing Central Rift (52.69) with the two automatically qualifying for the games while Patrick Muindi came home third (53.68).

Attention now shifts to Saturday, the final day of the Championships Trials with all the events being finals before Athletics Kenya names Team Kenya that will head straight to camp ahead of the global showpiece open to athletes under the age of 20 years slated to be held in Nairobi in August 17-22 at the same venue the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani.

The highlight of the day will be the steeplechase race which is Kenya’s favourite with the men’s 3000m steeplechase seeing Amos Serem lead Simon Kiprop, Aron Bett and Fredrick Domongole while Judy Kirui, Joleshine Biwott and Sharon Chepkemei anchor the women’s race.

In men’s 800m, Noah Kibet will lead Duncan Kangere, Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Brian Kiptum as Nelly Jepchirchir, Judy Kemuntho and Sheila Chepkosgei battle in corresponding women’s race.

In the men’s 5000m final, Africa 3000m champion Emmanuel Kiplagat will battle it out with Levi Kibet, Samuel Kibathi and Ezra Kiplang’at.

“I have the advantage of experience and I will be banking on that to win the race against my competitors. After having the 3000m medal, I will be going for gold now in 500m,” Kiplagat, who completed Form Four at Kaptimbor High school in Baringo in 2020, stated.

Saturday’s highlight races (finals)

10:25am: 3000m men

11:10am: 3000m women

11:25am: 1500m women

11:35am: 1500m men

12:00pm: 5000m men

12:25pm: 800m women

12:32pm: 800m men

12:40pm: 3000m steeplechase women

12:57pm: 3000m steeplechase men