Chebet eager to add the world title to her already decorated tiara

ATHLETICS: Chebet eager to add the world title to her already decorated tiara

Abigael Wafula 15:40 - 31.05.2023

She has been confirmed for the Diamond League Meetings in Oslo, Silesia, and London before heading over to the World Championships from August 19 to 27.

As she pictures taking on a tough field in the women’s 5000m race at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Beatrice Chebet’s main goal is to claim the title, one of the important jewels missing from her already glittering crown.

Chebet has had a glamorous season so far and bagging the world title might just be the pinnacle of her season. She is the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, World Cross-country champion, and National Champion but she is yet to add the World title to her CV and she hopes to achieve that this season. 

“I will be happy if I finish on the podium this year in Budapest, although my main aim is the gold medal. However, I will be thankful for any medal I get there,” Chebet said, as quoted by World Athletics.

She already has a wild card place to run in Budapest after winning the 2022 Wanda Diamond League title, subject to selection by Athletics Kenya. She is well informed of the tough competition that awaits her including Ethiopian runners and some of her Kenyan compatriots.

Defending champion Gudaf Tsegay and Letesenbet Gidey, both Ethiopian, will look to be Chebet’s closest challengers.

Tsegay started off her season with a win at the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat and she is building up well for her title defense. On her part, Gidey is the world record-holder who had looked on course to beat Chebet to the world cross-country title in Bathurst before she fell in the closing stages.

The world 5000m silver medallist is also on course. She reclaimed the World Cross-country title in February after destroying a strong field to win the women’s senior race at the World Cross-country championships in Australia.

The 23-year-old then shifted her focus to the track and scooped a win over the women’s 5000m race at the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, on May 13.

She has been confirmed for the Diamond League Meetings in Oslo, Silesia, and London before heading over to the World Championships from August 19 to 27.

“My training is going on well. I am working hard and praying to God for good health and that everything else goes well. In my races this year, I will watch and hope to see continuous progress. I know all will go well with good training,” she said.

Chebet currently trains in Kericho under coach Gabriel Kiptanui as part of the Kericho Athletics Club. Being part of the same training group and working with the same coach that guided her during her great 2022 season seems to be a good forecast of what Chebet’s season could look like this year.

“I hope I have another good year, like last year,” she added.

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