Steeplechase running in any major championships is synonymous with Kenyans and many have found it tough to beat difficult the world’s middle and long distance powerhouse.
Kenya’s pair of Leonard Kipkemoi Bett and Cleopas Kandie enter today’s 2000m boy’s final well aware they have to maintain Kenya’s tradition over the distance and see off the challenge of Ethiopians and Algerians.
Girma Diriba of Ethiopia laid down a marker on the third day of the competition in the semis winning in 5:41.46 ahead of Kandie. Diriba’s team mate Alemu Kitessa is also in the finals. Local boys will have to have him on check if they are to win the top medals.
Algerian Hamdani Benahmed with a season best of 5:56.48 also makes him a threat. Turkey’s Anil Kalayci is also another potential candidate for a podium position.
Bett said: “You know steeplechase is Kenyan event, we will do everything to retain the title. We must secure gold and silver, we have the technique to handle this Ethiopians.”
Bett is a Form Three student at Africa Gospel Church sponsored Liloch Secondary School in Kericho Country and holds a personal best time of 5:28.52.
[Dennis Okeyo]
