Chepkoech savours gold medal win in Doha

 

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech competes in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on September 30, 2019. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Two years since a mid-race blunder cost her a chance of a medal, Beatrice Chepkoech made no such mistakes in Doha on Monday as she produced one of the most dominant steeplechase performances in World Championships history.

The 29-year-old, who is also the event's record holder went straight to the front and within the space of one lap she had built up a four-second lead over a chase pack that was led by 2015 world champion Hyvin Kiyeng, defending champion Emma Coburn, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai and Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi.

Chepkoech successfully negotiated the final barrier, still with Coburn in pursuit, while Germany's Gesa Krause flew through the water jump to move past Yavi into third place.

Chepkoech crossed the line in a championship record of 8:57.84, Coburn following in a lifetime best of 9:02.35 to take the silver medal.

An excited Chepkoech who is coached by Gabriel Kiptanui in Kericho said she was happy to control the race from the gun and dedicated the gold medal to her parents.

“I am so grateful. I decided to go to the front because I knew there was going to be a lot of pushing. I was excited to be in front and controlled the race. I am glad to improve the championship record because I knew the time Emma Coburn ran in London so I really wanted to break the championship record.

She continued:  "I was watching the screen and the way they were coming, and I knew that if I put the effort to run the first kilometre fast, she (Coburn) will not follow me anymore."

"There was a lot of pressure on me because everywhere in the media in Kenya, they were expecting gold from me. For now, I have to go and train hard for the Tokyo Olympics.

“I want to dedicate this medal to my parents Mary and Elijah Sitonik for the support and also big thanks to National Police Anti-stock Theft Unit commandant Joseph Gody,” she said.

Kiyeng failed to finish within podium positions after clocking 9:13.53 in eighth place while two-time world Under-20 did not finish.

On her part Coburn said: “I am super proud that I have come away with medals in the past three World Championships. As long as I am fighting for those, I will be super happy. There is such a strong group of women up front, it's going to be a continued battle and I will ready for. My parents and husband are here. I will now have a drink and continue to cheer on my teammates.”

 

Two years since a mid-race blunder cost her a chance of a medal, Beatrice Chepkoech made no such mistakes in Doha on Monday as she produced one of the most dominant steeplechase performances in World Championships history.

The 29-year-old, who is also the event's record holder went straight to the front and within the space of one lap she had built up a four-second lead over a chase pack that was led by 2015 world champion Hyvin Kiyeng, defending champion Emma Coburn, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai and Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi.

Chepkoech successfully negotiated the final barrier, still with Coburn in pursuit, while Germany's Gesa Krause flew through the water jump to move past Yavi into third place.

Chepkoech crossed the line in a championship record of 8:57.84, Coburn following in a lifetime best of 9:02.35 to take the silver medal.

An excited Chepkoech who is coached by Gabriel Kiptanui in Kericho said she was happy to control the race from the gun and dedicated the gold medal to her parents.

“I am so grateful. I decided to go to the front because I knew there was going to be a lot of pushing. I was excited to be in front and controlled the race. I am glad to improve the championship record because I knew the time Emma Coburn ran in London so I really wanted to break the championship record.

She continued:  "I was watching the screen and the way they were coming, and I knew that if I put the effort to run the first kilometre fast, she (Coburn) will not follow me anymore."

"There was a lot of pressure on me because everywhere in the media in Kenya, they were expecting gold from me. For now, I have to go and train hard for the Tokyo Olympics.

“I want to dedicate this medal to my parents Mary and Elijah Sitonik for the support and also big thanks to National Police Anti-stock Theft Unit commandant Joseph Gody,” she said.

Kiyeng failed to finish within podium positions after clocking 9:13.53 in eighth place while two-time world Under-20 did not finish.

On her part Coburn said: “I am super proud that I have come away with medals in the past three World Championships. As long as I am fighting for those, I will be super happy. There is such a strong group of women up front, it's going to be a continued battle and I will ready for. My parents and husband are here. I will now have a drink and continue to cheer on my teammates.”