Kenyan quartet storm steeplechase final

What you need to know:

  • Kiyeng and Kirui led at one time but it is Gesa Felicitas Krause from Germany who won the first semi-final in 9:39.86.
  • Chepkoech and Chepsol comfortably won their semi-finals to make it a Kenyan foursome assault in the final.

IN LONDON

World 3,000m steeplechase champion Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng led her compatriots Purity Kirui, Cellphine Chespol and Beatrice Chepkoech in qualifying for the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the World Championships on Wednesday.
Kiyeng, Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Kirui, World Junior 3,000m steeplechase winner Chespol and Beatrice Chepkoech qualified for the final due Friday night.

Kiyeng and Kirui led at one time but it is Gesa Felicitas Krause from Germany who won the first semi-final in 9:39.86. Kiyeng, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallist, came in second in 9:39.89 followed by Kirui, in 9:40.53 to qualify automatically.

Ethiopia's Sofia Assefa, Britain's Lennie Waite, Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, USA's Colleen Quigley, Kenya's Purity Cherotich Kirui and Germany's Gesa Felicitas Krause compete in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017. PHOTO | BEN STANSALL | AFP

However, Chepkoech and Chepsol comfortably won their semi-finals to make it a Kenyan foursome assault in the final.

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech reacts after winning heat 2 in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

Chepkoech exchanged leads with Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Kenyan-born Ruth Jebet of Bahrain. But it’s the calm Kenyan who led through 1,000m and 2,000m in 3:02.05 and 6:08.60 to win in 9:19.03. Jebet, the World Record holder (8:52.78) came in second in 9:19.52 to qualify.

Bahrain's Ruth Jebet and Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech (right) compete in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech competes in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017.PHOTO | BEN STANSALL | AFP

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech competes in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017.PHOTO | BEN STANSALL | AFP

“I am not losing my focus on what I came to do here as the defending champion,” said Kiyeng, who rued the soaked track. “I couldn’t see well because of the drizzle.”

“Its three years since I won the medal and I feel this is the year,” said Kirui, who went on maternity leave after winning the Commonwealth Games in 2014. “I just wanted to qualify then plan how to finish at the podium n Friday.”

Chespol, who holds the world lead time of 8:58.78, said her glide to the top is unstoppable after she won her semi-final in 9:27.36.

From left: Australia's Genevieve Lacaze, USA's Emma Coburn and Kenya's Celliphine Chepteek Chespol compete in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS | AFP

From left: Australia's Genevieve Lacaze, US athlete Emma Coburn and Kenya's Celliphine Chepteek Chespol compete in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 9, 2017. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

Chespol’s rise speaks for itself, having won the World Youth 2,000m steeplechase title in 2015 followed by the World Junior 3,000m steeplechase title in 2016.

“I know I am facing a tough field but it’s my dream to end up on the podium,” said Chespol, who predicted a Kenyan sweep.