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Kenya's Chepng'etich eyes success at Olympics and Africa cross country

Xinhua, January 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

World 1,500m silver medalist Faith Chepng'etich of Kenya is hopeful she will get to the medal podium on her second attempt at the Olympic Games.

Chepng'etich, who turns 22 on Jan. 10, was disappointed after failing to make it to the finals at the London Olympics, but she has since atoned for the miss by claiming silver at the Beijing World Championships last August.

But it is the gold medal in Rio Games that she is targeting as she launches her training for the Olympics.

"I have learnt a lot since my first Olympics four years ago. I was still too naive and young, but I have been pushed and bruised in the four years and now am ready for the challenge in Rio," said Chepng'etich.

Indeed, it will be another battle pitting Chepng'etich and favourite Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia in the four lap race.

There is also a small chance that Olympic bronze medalist Hellen Obiri will overcome her rusty form, after a year on sabbatical to deliver her baby, to contest for the medals in Rio.

"The Kenya team will always be strong. Even if Obiri doesn't make it, the team will always have talented athletes," she added.

For now, Chepng'etich will be seeking to boost her endurance and will put her best leg forward during the Bomet County Cross country championships in Sotik in northwest Kenya on Saturday.

Chepng'etich is keen to compete at the Africa Cross Country championships in Yaounde, Cameroon in March and will launch her campaign in her home event this weekend.

Athletics Kenya (AK) has said that the Bomet meet, being the last in the six leg circuit, will attract all top runners as they seek to gauge their fitness ahead of the nationals next month in Nairobi.

Those expected to compete include Sandra Chebet, Iveen Chepkemoi, Daisy Caroline and Miriam Cherop in the junior women 6km race.

Caroline Chepkoech, the younger sister to former World 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono, will face stiff challenge from Sheila Chepkoech in the 10 km senior women category.

Dominic Kiptarus, Geofrey Korir, Alfred Ngeno, Elijah Kositany, Wesley Salel will battle it out at the 8km junior men's category while in the 10km senior men, Emmanuel Kipsang, Hosea Macharinyang, Cleophas Ngetich and Stephen Arita will be the athletes to beat.

"This last event shall give a lead on who shall make the Kenya team for this year's Africa Cross-country Championships in Yaoundé," ASK president Jack Tuwei said. Endit