Kiyeng ready for Chebet challenge in steeplechase
What you need to know:
- Athletes leave nothing to chance with just two weeks to go
- World 3,000m s/c champ will face the Kenyan-born Bahraini runner in Rio
- The 2015 season was one of the best seasons for Kiyeng.
One of the most keenly contested races at the Rio Games will most certainly be the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase.
Even with the Russians missing in action, thanks to the doping ban, it won’t be easy for world champion Hyvin Kiyeng to add the Olympic title to her growing collection.
Her biggest challenge will come from Kenyan-born Bahraini runner Ruth Chebet. In the short time since her defection to the Oil-rich Gulf nation on May 19, 2013, earning eligibility to compete a year later, Chebet has already bagged several titles for her adopted nation.
These include a gold medal at the Asian Championships in 2013 and also at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
On the Diamond League circuit this year, Chebet shattered the Asian record un Eugene on May 28, dipping under nine minutes to clock 8:59.97 with Kiyeng second in 9:00.01, an African record.
On June 9 at the Oslo meet, Kiyeng attempted to dip under the nine-minute barrier but, again, fell short, clocking 9:09.57 although she won the race, finishing nine seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa. But she won’t be distracted by Chebet’s Diamond League form.
“We can’nt compare the Olympics Games with other races because it takes athletes four years to prepare for the Olympics. Competition is stiff but I’m looking forward to add another medal in my drawer,” Kiyeng said in Eldoret on Wednesday.
She just wants to run her race. “I will run my race but the most important is to get to the finals and join my teammates if they qualify and run as one for glory,” added Kiyeng. The 24-year-old, soft-spoken world champion said she is happy with the Rio preparations.
“The preparations and training is good and I expect to give the best performance,” said Kiyeng, who is coached by Richard Metto.
The 2015 season was one of the best seasons for Kiyeng. She started with a near personal best of 9:22:11 at the Doha Diamond League where she finished third. In her next Diamond League, the Golden Gala in Rome, she improved her personal best by almost seconds to 9:15.08.
Kiyeng also won gold in the 2011 All African Games in Maputo before getting bronze at the 2012 Africa Championships.
