Major goof costs Kenyan girl victory in 3,000m steeplechase – VIDEO
Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech paid the price for startling blunder in the opening stages of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase race at the IAAF World Championships in London on Friday night.
She went on to finish fourth in the race – outside the medal bracket – and behind eventual winners, American duo of Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs, plus compatriot Hyvin Jepkemoi who claimed gold, silver and bronze respectively.
Chepkoech, 26, who was considered favourite to win this race, made the best possible start in the race and was among the chasing pack up until she forgot to take a water jump at the beginning of lap two.
On realizing this blunder, she turned around and doubled up to clear the hurdle in the process losing precious time and falling far behind the pack.
Meanwhile, Jepkemoi’s silver medal helped Kenya to stay second in the medal standing behind runaway leaders USA.
The US have amassed 18 medals (8 gold, 8 silver, 7 bronze) while Kenya has 3 gold 1 silver and 4 bronze for a total of 8 medals
The medal hunt for team Kenya continues on Saturday, with Julius Yego expected to win the country her first medal off the track in the men’s javelin final starting 10:15pm.
Five minutes later, Cyrus Ruto who is Kenya’s sole representative in the 5000m race will have to contend with stiff competition from a strong cast involving Great Britian’s Mo Farah, three Ethiopians, and naturalised Kenyan Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo who now represents the USA.
