Chepkoech nominated for IAAF athlete of the year award

Police's Beatrice Chepkoech strides in 3000meters Steeple Chase women finalist during Athletics Kenya National Trials held at Kasarani stadium on June 23, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

World Steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech is among 10 IAAF nominees for the Female World Athlete of the Year award.

In July, Chepkoech, who competes for Kenya’s national police service, smashed the world record crossing the finish line in 8:44.32.

She shaved more than eight seconds off women’s world 3,000m steeplechase record of 8:52.78 which had been set by Ruth Jebet of Bahrain in the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Paris in 2016.

The 27-year-old made history as the first Kenyan woman to hold the 3,000m steeplechase world record.

Chepkoech also ran off to win seven out of eight steeplechase finals including the Continental Cup, African Championships and Diamond League this year.

In May 31, she finished fifth in Roma Golden Gala - Pietro Mennea in Italy in 9:15.85 but her star was yet to shine.

In the 1,500m race, she finished tops in the second heat but was forced to settle for a silver medal in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Chepkoech and 10 others were selected by an international panel of athletics experts which comprises representatives from all six continental areas of the IAAF.

Other nominees include; World and Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya from South Africa, European champion in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay Dina Asher-Smith from Great Britain and World lead at one mile and 3,000m Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands.

Holding the world lead jump and unbeaten in eight finals, Caterine Ibarguen (Colombia), high jump winner of 25 out of 26 contests Mariya Lasitskene an authorized neutral athlete, 200m Commonwealth Games and Diamond League champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bahrain) also made the cut.

Discus throw champ Sandra Perkovic from Croatia, World lead and unbeaten at heptathlon champ Nafissatou Thiam (Belgium) and IAAF Challenge winner and world lead at hammer throw Anita Wlodarczyk from Poland also made it to the nominations table.

Fans can vote online via the IAAF’s social media platforms.