World 1,500m silver medalist Chepngetich has faith in her 1,500m ability

Kenya's Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (R) crosses the finish line ahead of Ethiopia's Dawit Seyaum (C) and USA's Shannon Rowbury after they competed in the Women's 1500m Semifinal during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. / AFP PHOTO

World 1,500m silver medallist Faith Chepngetich says she is in top form and believes she can deliver a gold medal when she competes in the final tonight.

Chepngetich said she had faith in her ability despite been the lone ranger in the final after the other two Kenyans, Viola Lagat and Nancy Chepkwemoi, failed to book slots in the final.

“I feel strong at the moment and I will battle all the way to try and win a gold medal for Kenya at the Rio Olympics,” Chepngetich told Feverpitch at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night.

She said she would treat all the challengers equally in the final and not pick a particular athlete as a threat to her ambitions of winning an Olympics title.

She won heat one of the semis on Sunday night after clocking 4:03.95 even though she slowed towards the finish line. She beat Ethiopian Dawit Seyaum who was second in 4:04.23.

Shannon Rowbury, who is among the main favourites for gold finished in third position in 4:04.46, with the top five runners automatically booking a slot in the finals.

But the main threat for Chepngetich will come from closer home. World champion Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, who has been off the radar in the Diamond League meetings this season, laid down a marker in the second semi-final with victory in 4:03.06 after a battle down the homestretch with Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

The Dutchwoman held on for second place in 4:03.62 ahead of another medal prospect, Great Britain’s Laura Muir (4:04.16).

After the battle they had at the World Championships in Beijing last year, it is expected that more of the same is expected between Chepngetich and Dibaba.

Dibaba got the better of the Kenyan but this season, Chepngetich has been in top form in Diamond League meets and many will be waiting to see if the Kenyan will lose her first competitive race this season.

Chepngetich won the Diamond Leagues in Shanghai (3:56.82) and Eugene (3:56.82) where she set national records. She also won the mile in Oslo in 4:18.60 and going by the times she has set throughout the year, it will be difficult to argue that she is not the favourite for gold.

Considering that the Olympic Stadium track has proven to be faster, then a faster race might favour Chepngetich and she might even improve on the national record in the process of bagging gold.

The only problem is that she will be fighting a lone battle for Kenya. However, that is something she has done before and this will be no different.