Cellphine Chespol steeplechase favourite in Poland

IN BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND

World Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Cellphine Chespol has downplayed her favourites status ahead of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final on Friday at the World Under-20 Championships at Zawisza, Bydgoszcz in Poland.

Chespol rallied compatriot Betty Chepkemoi Kibet urging her to embrace team work ahead of their clash with main rivals Ethiopia-born Tigist Getnet from Bahrain, Ethiopian Agrie Belachew and Peruth Chemutai from Uganda.

“This is a final and rarely do we have favourites in junior events…they are always open,” said Chespol, who displayed a touch of class in winning her semi-final heat in 9:55.21. “I know all eyes will be on me but I promise to do my best.”

Chespol, a surprise winner at last year’s World Youth Championships, said victory in Poland should set the stage for the World Cross Country Championships due next year in Uganda.

“All I am praying for is good health,” said Chespol, a Form Three student at Riruta Central, Nairobi. 

She is appearing for Kenya for the second time.

Inexperience won’t curtail Kibet’s ambitions as she makes her debut for Kenya.

“I will try to push hard and In believe good team work should deliver a 1-2 finish for us,” said Kibet, a Form Four student at Akshar, Sotik. “I believe we are capable of reclaiming the title.”

Kenya lost the title to Kenya-born Ruth Jebet of Bahrain in 2014 in Eugene.

The 17-year-old Chespol has a personal best 9:24.73 set in May and looks capable of breaking the world record of 9:20.37, but surprisingly Getnet has the fastest time in the field of 9:20.65. Her best time this year stands at 9:31.84.

Head coach Robert Ngisirei however acknowledged that the field was challenging.

“We lost the battle in 2014 to our own sister who is in Bahrain and we have an Ethiopian running for Bahrain too,” said Ngisirei. “Chespol has the experience and I believe she will talk to Kibet to yield results.”

TARBEI, BET IN ACTION

World Youth 800m champion Willy Tarbei and compatriot World Youth 800m silver medallist Kipyegon Bett, who is also the Africa Youth 800m champion, will run in Friday’s 800m heats.

Also in action in women’s 1,500m semi-final heats where Youth Olympics 1,500m silver medallist Wilfred Mbithe and World Youth 1,500m bronze medallist Joyline Cherotich are eying for places in the final due Sunday.

Bett and Tarbei boast of personal best times 1:44.4 and 1:44.84 respectively which places them as the second and fourth-fastest in the world this year hence their experience will be valuable.

Tarbei edged Bett for gold by just 0.28 at last year’s World Youth Championships in Cali, but Bett beat Tarbei by 0.2secs at the Kenyan Junior Trials. “It will be an interesting final and I hope we should make,” said Tarbei.