Kenya, Ethiopia renew rivalry in girls’ 3,000m final

Kenya's Emmaculate Chepkirui poses for photos after winning the women's 5,000m silver at the World Under-20 Championships at Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on July 23, 2016. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |

What you need to know:

  • Traditional rivals Kenya and Ethiopia will again have a go at each other on Wednesday with an interesting battle in girls’ 3,000m final, where World Under-20 5,000 metres silver medallist Emmaculate Chepkirui will lead the home team’s title push.
  • Chepkirui, a Standard Seven pupil at Kibori Primary School in Bomet County and who is determined to emulate the success achieved by her predecessor and role model Mercy Cherono, will team up with Beatrice Chebet, a first timer on the international scene.
  • Athletes from African have won all titles in the discipline in all editions of the world youth competition and the trend is almost certain to continue through this year’s edition.

Traditional rivals Kenya and Ethiopia will again have a go at each other on Wednesday with an interesting battle in girls’ 3,000m final, where World Under-20 5,000 metres silver medallist Emmaculate Chepkirui will lead the home team’s title push.

Chepkirui, a Standard Seven pupil at Kibori Primary School in Bomet County and who is determined to emulate the success achieved by her predecessor and role model Mercy Cherono, will team up with Beatrice Chebet, a first timer on the international scene.

Athletes from African have won all titles in the discipline in all editions of the world youth competition and the trend is almost certain to continue through this year’s edition.

Kenya has the lion’s share of victories, having won in six of the nine editions so far and only losing to Ethiopia in 2015 (Cali, Colombia) and in 2011 (Lille, France).

The only time Kenyans and Ethiopians failed to win was in 2003 (Sherbrooke, Canada (when Moroccan Sihan HIlali beat Kenya’s Pascalia Jepkorir for gold. Jepkorir has gone on to represent Kenya in major events, claiming bronze at the 2012 World Half Marathon.

Lilian Kasait (2013), Purity Rionoripo (2009), Mercy Cherono (2007), Veronica Nyaruai (2005), Sally Chepyego (2001) and Alice Timbilil (1999) are the Kenyans who have won the race in past championships.

The two fastest times this year belong to the Kenyans Chepkirui and Chebet. Chepkirui, who won the World Under-18 trials in 9min,05.70secs, was also placed ninth in the Under-20 race at this year’s World Cross Country Championships. Chebet has no international experience, but she was not far behind in the trials race with 9:07.00.

“We have not second chance here but to win, this being on home soil,” said Chepkirui. “As the deputy team captain, I need to open the track with victory…it will be a good way to start.”

Ethiopian Maritu Ketema, who has a personal best of 9:20.05, and has her best of 9:39.55 from 3,000m steeplechase, claimed silver medal over the water and barriers race at the just-concluded African Under-20 Championships.

She will be Kenya’s main threat. Her teammate Abersh Minsewo is also a girl to watch with her equally good time of 9:21.75.

Others to watch out for in the race are Souhaila Bahtar (9:33.44) from Morocco and Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat (9:33.44).

George Manangoi (3:44.00), the brother to World 1,500m silver medallist Elijah, and Dominic Kipkemboi (3:44.40) will be out to showcase Kenya’s immense depth in boys’ 1,500m heats.

The metric mile race will also witness the usual rivalry between Kenya and Ethiopia, with Kenyans expected to go through for a final showdown with Ethiopian duo of Belete Mekonen Maru (3:48.76) and Abebe Dessassa Fufa (3:49.00).

Others expected to sail through to the finals are Oussama Cherrad of Algeria (3:48.81) who finished fifth in the 800m at the recent African Junior Championships.

Japheth Kibiwott (1:47.81) and Noah Kiprono (1:47.81) will compete in first round of boys’ 800m, but it’s the final that will be interesting as they are expected to meet Ethiopians Tolesa Bodena, who is the fastest in the final (1:47.20), and Melese Nberet (1:48.17).

Elijah Matayo will field in first round of boys’ 100m, with Kelvin Sane and David Sanayek competing in first round of 400m.