Chespol keeps focus on World U-20 title defence in Paris DL
What you need to know:
- Chespol is using the Paris meet to gauge her level of preparedness ahead of the World Under-20 Championships set for Finland in a fortnight.
Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Cellphine Chespol will be seeking to warm up for her World Under-20 Championships title defence in style when she takes to the track at the Paris Diamond League on Saturday.
Chespol is using the Paris meet to gauge her level of preparedness ahead of the World Under-20 Championships set for Tampere, Finland in a fortnight.
“I will be up against very good athletes who are also world beaters but my main focus is the World Under-20 Championships which is about 10 days to come,” said the 19-year-old.
“My target is to be in the podium after the race which will give me a good chance on how I will tackle the global event in Tampere," added the 2016 World Junior champion.
After her silver medal exploits at the Commonwealth Games, Chespol clinched a ticket to the Africa Senior Athletics Championships to be held in Assaba, Nigeria last week at Kasarani.
Commonwealth Games 1,500m silver medallist Beatrice Chepkoech, Roseline Chepng'etich, Norah Jeruto, Hyvine Kiyeng and Daisy Jepkemei will line up alongside Chespol in Paris.
In men's the 1,500m race, Bethwell Birgen will be hoping to get the better of compatriots led by World and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot, Charles Simotwo and Vincent Kibet.
Former 800m World champion Eunice Sum will be out to upset the form book when as she battles Olympic and World champion Caster Semenya from South Africa and Burundi’s Olympic and World silver medallist Francine Niyonsaba. Kenya's Olympics bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera and Emily Tuei are also in the start list.
