World Under-20 3000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol has vowed Kenyans will bounce back from the disappointment of 2017 when this year’s IAAF World Championships kick off Friday in Doha, Qatar.
In the 2017 Championship held in London, United Kingdom, Kenya lost both the gold and silver medals only to come home with a bronze in a race usually regarded as a preserve for Kenyans.
Chespol who was 18 then, finished sixth having teamed up alongside Beatrice Chepkoech and the then defending champion Hyvin Kiyeng-with Chepkoech coming home fourth as Kiyeng settled for bronze.
Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs both from USA stunned the trio to win gold and silver respectively after a blunder from the early-leader Chepkoech who missed a barrier which pulled her back.
Interestingly, Chespol will once again team up with Chepkoech- now the World record holder and Kiyeng with youthful Fancy Cherono also in line to make her debut in this year’s championship.
At 20, Chespol says they have learnt their lessons and will be looking to work as a team if they are to stand any chance of bringing the medals back home.
“We are still very bitter with 2017 performance because we lost our titles but this time we are going to work together and bring back the title. We have a strong team that consists of a world record holder (Chepkoech), former champion (Kiyeng) and Cherono who is also very good,” said Chespol.
Chespol ranked third at the national trials after Chepkoech and Kiyeng with the trio holding hands as they approached the finish line in a show of unity as Kiyeng says.
“We are going to work together this time round. In 2017, we lost our title since we did not work as a team. I have been in this championship since 2013 and thus I have gathered enough experience however without team work we cannot make it,” observed Kiyeng.
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