World Under-20 400m bronze medalist Sylvia Chelangát is contemplating shifting from her specialty to the 800m depending on how she fares in the ongoing WU-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
Chelangát said if she doesn't achieve her target in the one-lap race on Tuesday, she will have to consider transitioning to the two-lap race. " A lot will depend on my coach Janeth Jepkosgei," she said.
She said her target is to lower her personal best in the 400m, failure to which she will have no choice but reconsider her future in the 400m.
“After Cali, I will know whether I want to continue with the 400m or shift to the 800m. However, I will consult with my coach first before making any move,” Chelangát said.
Chelangát’s personal best stands at 52.23. "There is pressure to deliver but my focus is on lowering my time," she said.
She draws her motivation from two-time 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo from the Bahamas and her coach Jepkosgei, herself a former world 800m champion.
“I want to be like Miller-Uibo. She runs so well and has achieved a lot in her career. I would love to meet her one day. My coach, Jepkosgei always inspires me and I want to get to her level one day, hopefully,” she said.
Chelangát disclosed that the most memorable moment in her young career was when she won a bronze medal on home soil during last year’s world under-20 championships at Moi stadium, Kasarani.
