Women’s 3,000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech has vowed to reclaim her throne in the competitive event after fighting off a bothersome injury that spanned two seasons.
In an exclusive interview on Thursday, Kipkoech said she will be training her eyes on more vintage performances this year.
Chepkoech returned from a hamstring injury and a stress fracture around her left ankle to romp to victory at the Kip Keino Classic on May 13.
She clocked 9:15.08 to beat world under-20 champion Faith Cherotich and Commonwealth Games winner Jackline Chepkoech to second and third places respectively.
"Competing and completing the event was something nice for me because I have been out of competition due to the ailments I picked up last year. I was in such good spirits and I'm happy to be returning gradually as the season progresses," said Chepkoech.
“It was a tough race because I was running with some good upcoming athletes and I had to run from the front,” she said.
The victory, according to Chepkoech, is a step in the right direction in readiness for the Budapest World Championships in August.
"This is my second race, and it's a solid preparation for the World Championships," she remarked.
Her victory came hot on the heels of a fourth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League a week earlier.
"The season is still early, and you all know it has been difficult for me having been out for the last one and a half years. I am trying to come back," Chepkoech said.
"I was in good shape last year. My target was to retain the 2019 title, but I was forced to drop out at the last minute due to injury," she said.
Chepkoech will be relying on her vast wealth of experience to catapult herself back into global acclamation.
She won gold medals at the 2019 World Championships and the 2018 African Championships. She had previously asserted authority in the 1500m, where she took silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2015 African Games.
Chepkoech set the world record for the 3000 m steeplechase with a time of 8:44.32 in 2018 in Monaco, becoming the first woman to break the 8:50 and 8:45 barriers.
Chepkoech has won two Kenyan national championships and two Diamond League championships in the 3000 m steeplechase.
In 2014, she began her road running career, placing in the top three at several races in Germany and the Netherlands.
She switched to track in 2015, winning the 1500m race at the KBC Night of Athletics with a personal best time of 4:03.28. She bagged the bronze at the 2015 African Games.
She was forced to withdraw from the 2022 World Championship held in Eugene, Oregon in July due to an injury.
