Team Kenya’s fresh faces relish golden chance at World stage

Celestine Biwot in a past AK meeting/ TEDDY MULEI

Team Kenya’s latest additions for the Tokyo World Championships, javelin thrower Irene Jepkemboi and steeplechaser Celestine Biwot, are determined to seize their golden opportunity to chase glory on the global stage.

‎Biwot’s call-up came after Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich clinched the Zurich Diamond League title, handing Kenya a wildcard and allowing the country to field four athletes in the women’s steeplechase.

‎"We are happy because our athletes have been added to the team for Tokyo. Some of our athletes won during the Zurich Diamond League final, and because of that, World Athletics gave Kenya a chance to have more athletes."

‎‎"In the 800m, we have an inclusion of Alex Ng'eno because Wanyonyi won the Diamond League final," sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki said.

‎‎For Jepkemboi, history beckons. Jepkemboi, 21, who was ranked among the world’s top 38, benefited from athlete withdrawals to make the cut. 

‎‎She now becomes the first Kenyan woman javelin thrower ever selected for the World Championships. ‎"We also have a female javelin thrower who has been included in the team. This is the first time we will be sending a female javelin thrower to the World Championships."

‎‎"She was ranked among the top 38 in the World, and from that list some athletes withdrew, and that gave her a chance to make her maiden World Championship appearance," he added.

‎‎Jepkemboi, who studies at Texas Christian University (TCU), is the National record holder with a throw of 60.31 from the NCAA championships.

‎‎In an exclusive interview after being named in the Kenyan team, Biwot said the news came as a pleasant surprise. "My target in Tokyo is to do my best and make the most out of this opportunity. I had really been praying for this, and I am glad it came," she said.

‎‎She, however, revealed that the call-up to join Team Kenya came as a surprise to her. ‎"The call-up came as a surprise. At the trials, I did not perform well because I had just jetted back to the country two days before the trials, and my body was  weak."

‎At the World Championship trials on July 22, Biwot clocked 9:41.79 to place fifth behind fourth-placed Loice Chekwemoi of Uganda (9:38.54). ‎

Faith Cherotich (9:09.44), Doris Lemngole (9:24.69) and Caren Chebet (9:34.91) claimed the podium. ‎Now, with the ticket secured, Biwot is eager to prove herself.

‎‎"This will be my first time to represent Kenya at the World Championships, and I am very proud and happy to represent Kenya."

‎Her target in Tokyo will be to chase a slot in the finals before plotting for a podium place. ‎"The target is to make the finals, and from there I can now plot on making the podium," Biwot added.

‎‎Apart from chasing the finals, Biwot will also be eyeing a sub-9:15 performance at the global showpiece. ‎"My target is to run under 9:15. I want to improve on my barrier clearance before Tokyo," she added. 

‎She heads into Tokyo buoyed by her maiden Diamond League appearance in Brussels, where she placed fourth in the inaugural Mile steeplechase event.

‎‎"That was my first Diamond League and it felt good, I was glad with the position I finished in," she noted. ‎

The Brussels race saw her clock 4:52.10 for fourth place, trailing Olympic champion Winfred Yavi claimed victory in 4:40.13, setting a new world record, with USA's Angelina Ellis (4:46.74) and Germany's Olivia Gurth (4:51.87) in second and third place.