Kisa out to break Rift dominance
Mohammed Amin | NATION
Kenya’s Janet Kisia trains at the St Marks Teachers College in Kigari, Embu, last weekend. She will take part in the junior women’s race of the World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain, this weekend.
What you need to know:
- Mt Elgon runner goes to this year’s race in Spain as favourite to win gold in junior women’s race after coming first at trials
The junior women’s 6km race will for the first time in three years miss Mercy Cherono. But this doesn’t mean that the absence of the world cross country junior women champion, has weakened Kenya’s team and chances to successfully defend both the individual and team titles.
While Cherono has graduated to the senior cadre and won the African title, the charge for glory in Spain will be led by Purity Cherotich, the World Cross Country silver medallist.
There are also the fresh legs of Janet Kisa, who is keen to establish herself while fourth finisher in last year’s race, Faith Chepng’etich, will be seeking to make amends for her loss in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
The ‘baby’ of the team, Naomi Chepng’eno, 15, and Nancy Chepkwemoi finish coach David Leting’s line-up for this year’s junior challenge.
“It is a race of new athletes. So it remains open, anyone can win it,” he said. Only Chepng’etich and Cherotich will be making a comeback.
“I want to do well and win in Spain. I was hoping to win gold last year, but Cherono was too strong. But this time round I have to get it,” said Cherotich.
Domestic chores
The pressure of who will win the gold however, is of least concern to the coach. Leting is only keen to see that the team remains as a unit until the final lap before their own strength and sprinting will separate them.
“They are all at par. So it will be up to them to see who takes gold,” he said.
Ordinarily, whoever wins the Kenyan trials when the selection of the cross country team is done, usually goes on to win at the global level.
Therefore, the pressure on Kisa to win gold is high. “I was hopeful of making the Kenya team and when I won, I realised that I was in the frame to become the next world champion,” said Kisa.
From her home in Mt Elgon, Kisa is among a few athletes who have excelled from the Western Kenya region, challenging the supremacy of the Rift Valley.
“I started running at an early age. Back at home, running is normal; we run going to school or carrying out domestic chores. So I generally enjoy running and have been eyeing my chance to make the national team. I’m glad the chance is finally here,” Kisa said.
