Obiri: 5,000m. Olympic silver medallist is Kenya’s main hope for gold

IAAF Athletics Diamond League meeting - Women's 5000m - Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China - 13/5/17 - Hellen Obiri of Kenya celebrates. REUTERS

Obiri following in Vivian’s footsteps

Cheruiyot tips her compatriot to triumph in London.

Kenyan charges will simply use Friday’s events to test the opposition in their title defence bid in London.

But Monday night is a special moment for Hellen Obiri, the Olympic 5,000m silver medallist, as she lines up in 5,000m heats.

She wants to go one better in the World Championships by becoming the second Kenyan to win world 5,000m gold medal after Vivian Cheruiyot in Berlin (2009) and Daegu (2011).

Obiri set a world leading time of 14:18.37, a national record, at the IAAF Diamond League in Rome in June and will lead Margaret Chelimo and Africa 10,000m champion Sheila Chepkirui in the 12-lap race.

She returns to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after setting the mile meet record (4:00.44) last month.

She also set the 5,000m national record (14:18.37), won in Shanghai in 14:22.47, won the 3,000m Diamond League in Monaco in 8:23.14 and another victory in 3,000 at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

Vivian, who shares same management the Teddington-based agent Ricky Simms of Pace Sports Management, has tipped her to reclaim the 5,000m crown.

“Obiri is a good athlete. She is in great shape that can win her a medal especially gold. I am certain she will perform well,” said Vivian.

“I’m praying for her to do well. I also urge other women in the team to remain focused,” she said.

And 27-year-old Obiri looks ready for the big battle. “I know there will be stiff challenge, but I will also do my best.

“I have prepared well and hope to give it my best shot,” said Obiri.

“I share a lot with Vivian, she has helped me in competitions and training. I owe my performance in Rio Olympics to her. She is my training partner, friend and a team mate at Pace Sports Management. We will embrace team work in London,” said Obiri.

She stands as the third fastest 5,000m runner in history behind Ethiopians Tirunesh Dibaba and Almaz Ayana. Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar, Genzebe Dibaba and Vivian Cheruiyot trail.

Obiri has come a long way. She returned from maternity leave and staged a splendid show.

She switched her specialty from the 1,500m where she boasts of a World bronze medal from Moscow 2013, to the 5,000m.

Obiri, is a corporal in the Kenyan Air Force and started her career at the 2010 Kenyan Armed Forces Cross Country Championships. 

Obiri started her career while a student at Nairobi’s Riruta Satellite Secondary as she set out to be an 800m athlete.