Double African champion, Gladys Cherono, is looking forward to turning her continental dominance into a Moscow World Championships gold after winning the women`s 10,000m Kenyan Trial here on Saturday
|Last Updated: Jul 13, 2013, 06:34 PM IST|Source: Bureau
Nairobi: Double African champion, Gladys Cherono, is looking forward to turning her continental dominance into a Moscow World Championships gold after winning the women`s 10,000m Kenyan Trial here on Saturday.
Timing her finish to perfection, the African 5,000m/10,000m champion and Kenya Defence Forces runner, nosed ahead of the field immediately after the bell to clinch the race in 33:43.03 to punch her ticket ahead of all challengers in the race for Moscow.
"The race was tough since there were good athletes competing and I`m delighted to make the team. I want to see how I can perform against the best in the world and my aim is to try hard to be a world champion," the 29 year-old who ran her personal best in the distance on June 27 whilst finishing second in Ostrava in 30:29.23.
Having raced clear of the leading four for the victory over the last 300m, the battle for second saw World Cross champion, Emily Chebet (33:43.03) out-kicked Japan based Team Kyudenko runner, Sally Kaptich Chepyego (33:45.81) to clinch the other automatic berth for Moscow.
However, the two-time World Cross winner has not dipped under 31:45.00 A-Standard for the World Championships over the last two seasons that are considered for qualification meaning her Moscow dream was in tatters.
Having won the 10,000m race in Kobe this April in 32:00.02, Chepyego hang on to the leaders before surrendering second place at the last 200m but her place in the Kenyan senior team for the first time was assured courtesy of her 31:33.76 victory at the Japanese Corporate Championships last September.
"I have tried for so long to be in the Kenyan team and this time, my prayers were answered. I`m filled with so much joy and being in Japan has helped me improve my running style and today, it helped in a race where we had many champions," the 2001 World Youth Champion in 3000m said.
"As a team, we should work hard to return the title that was won two years ago. This is a different year and if we work together, it is possible," she added.
Caroline Cheptanui (33:52.34) finished just outside the podium ahead of 2009 World Champion, Linet Masai (34:10.02) but the latter stood a good chance of being selected to Moscow owing to her 31:02.89 season`s best in her sixth finish in Ostrava.
Like Chebet, Cheptanui has not managed to beat the Moscow qualifying time in the eligible period of qualification.
IANS
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.