Kipruto, Chepkoech clinch Africa slots at Kasarani

Olympic and World 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto and Beatrice Chepkoech won their respective 3,000m steeplechase races on Saturday at Kasarani to qualify for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships.

Kipruto, who is also the Commonwealth champion, strategically stayed behind the pack of four before bolting to the front after the last barrier to win in 8:18.05, beating World Under-20 champion Amos Kirui from South Rift in 8:18.37.

Kipruto and Kirui, the Commonwealth bronze medallist, earned automatic places in Team Kenya for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships set for August 1-5 in Assaba, Nigeria.

Kipruto declared his intentions for the Africa title but said his ultimate target this year is to take a shot at the World Record in Monaco on July 20 before heading to the Africa event.

Kipruto holds a personal best of 8:00.12 from 2016 Birmingham and Olympic record of 8:03.28 but Kenyan-born Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar holds the World Record of 7:53.63 set in 2004 Brussels.

“My body still feels great even after winning Commonwealth title in April. It’s my wish to add more titles to my collection hence can’t wait to win the Africa title,” said Kipruto.

Chepkoech (Police), the Commonwealth 1,500m silver medallist, clocked 9:23.73 to win women’s race, beating Commonwealth 3,000m silver medallist Cellphine Chespol (Prisons) to second place in 9:28.36 as they all qualified for the Africa Championships.

Fancy Cherono settled third in 9:37.62 but will have to bank on a wild card from Athletics Kenya.

Before heading to Assaba, Chespol will be defending her 3,000m steeplechase title at World Under-20 Championships due July 10-15 in Tampere, Finland.

“It feels great to win my first national title and I hope for the best in Nigeria,” said Chepkoech.