By Faith we stand! Chepng'etich leads Kenyan charge in 1,500m
Commonwealth 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich during a training session at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret on July 28, 2016 in readiness for the Olympic Games. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- World silver medallist teams up with Lagat and Chepkwemoi in battle for 1,500m honours
- Chepn g’etich acknowledges that stiff competition will come from world champion Genzebe Dibaba from Ethiopia, Great Britain’s Laura Muir and Dutch Stifan Hassan.
World 1,500m silver medallist, Faith Chepng’etich believes team work can propel Team Kenya to glory at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The athlete, who hails from Kericho County, has told local athletics fans to expect great things from her on her second appearance at the Olympics.
“Kenyans should expect good results from us in the 1,500m race. We have been training well so far,” Chepng’etich said on Thursday after her training session at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
Chepng’etich boasts two World Cross country titles, a World Junior crown and World Youth Championship title. She has a personal best of 3min,56.41secs which is also a national record.
She will team up with debutant Nancy Chepkwemoi and US-based Viola Lagat in a bid to reclaim the gold medal Nancy Jebet Lagat won for Kenya at the 2008 edition of the games in Beijing.
However, Chepng’etich is keen on reaching the final of the competition first. From there, she says the team will work together to win medals for Kenya.
“Our first objective is to reach finals. If we all qualify, we will work as a team to ensure we reclaim the gold medal,” said the Commonwealth champion.
Chepn g’etich acknowledges that stiff competition will come from world champion Genzebe Dibaba from Ethiopia, Great Britain’s Laura Muir and Dutch Stifan Hassan.
“I respect them as great opposition and I expect a tough contest. The training has made me stronger and I will do my best to make my country proud.”
Lagat who last week declared that Dibaba is beatable over 1,500m also agrees that Chepng’etich was in a class of her own and is capable of helping Kenya reclaim the 1,500m title in Rio.
The 22-year-old, who won her first individual gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Cross Country Championships at the age of 17, is confident of posting a better time at this year’s Olympics. She reached semi-finals of the 1,500m race at the 2012 London Olympics.
