Lemotit-based athletes reveal inspiration after securing Africa U18/20 Championships tickets

© Erick Barasa

ATHLETICS Lemotit-based athletes reveal inspiration after securing Africa U18/20 Championships tickets

Abigael Wafula 21:53 - 11.04.2023

Diana Chepkemoi and Joyline Chepkemoi are on the squad for Africa U18/20 Championships.

Budding athletes from the Lemotit Athletics Training camp have attributed their dominant wins at the Athletics Kenya trials for Africa Under 18/20 Championships over the weekend to Sandrafelis Chebet.

After winning the 2000m Steeplechase (SC), 17-year-old Diana Chepkemoi revealed that words of advice from the 2015 World Youth Championships 2000m SC silver medallist have been a great source of inspiration for her as  she looks to follow in her footsteps.

https://twitter.com/athletics_kenya/status/1644930089531088896?s=20

She pointed out Chebet as a pillar who has inspired many other athletes apart from her.

“Her words of advice have helped me and other athletes to become responsible. I am grateful to have crossed paths with her. My coach, Paul Kemei, has also held my hand and I thank him for never giving up on us,” said Chepkemoi.

Chepkemoi is a form two student at Kalyet Secondary School and she will be keen to apply Chebet’s exploits in her junior career. She made her Team Kenya debut at the World Cross country championships in February where she settled for ninth place in the junior race.

“My main target is to run well and win a gold medal. When we go to the camp, I want to train hard,” she said.

On her part, Chebet started her career at the tender age of 16, and over time, she has managed to achieve major milestones in her career including finishing top three in two Africa junior events and one world event. She also finished among the top eight at the 2016 World Under-20 championships.

Meanwhile, Joyline Chepkemoi also revealed that Chebet has always been a point of reference for her. She added that Emily Chebet, also from the Lemotit camp, has been a great adviser to her.

Joyline Chepkemoi in action during the AK trials for the Africa Junior Championships
© Erick Barasa

Joyline, just like her training-mate Chepkemoi, made her national team debut at the World Cross-country Championships and she placed sixth place in the junior race.

“I thank Lemotit training camp and my mentor Chebet for the unwavering support. She has been a pillar to most of us and I am happy that we are doing well and making her proud,” she said.

The Form One student at Kalyet Secondary School has already set her target ahead of the continental show in Lusaka, Zambia.

“I want to bring a medal back home…going forward, I will invest most of my time in training,” she said.