Queen Vivian returns from maternity leave to reclaim world title
Vivian Cheruiyot returned to top level competition in victorious fashion on Monday, reclaiming the women’s 10,000m World title in Beijing China.
Cheruiyot, who last won the title at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, day won in 31min, 41.31sec on Monday to make a major statement that she is back to her very best.
Before the race, her return to competition after giving birth to her first child last year was marked by an impressive victory at the Kenyan trials.
“The Pocket Rocket is back. I dedicate this medal to my family – my husband and son Allan Kiprono,” she said.
She said she would take part in one Diamond League event (Zurich) and then return home to plan for the future.
OUTCLASSED ETHIOPIAN RIVALS
She outclassed Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka, former indoor 1500m champion in the last 200m. Burka took silver in 31:43.49 and American Emily Infeld took broze in 31:43.49.
“The race was too slow but I was prepared for either a fast or slow race”, Cheruiyot said.
London 2012 Olympic Games silver medallist Sally Kipyego was fifth in 31:44.42 and the third Kenyan in the race, Betsy Saina, finished eighth in 31:51.35.
Kipyego’s season has not been impressive as she was named in the team despite not finishing the race during the Kenyan trials in Nairobi.
Coach Kirwa said the technical team had no alternative since Kipyego had met the qualifying standards.
“I am a little bit disappointed because I was hoping for a medal but the race did not go as I planned,” Kipyego said, adding she had hoped for a faster race.
“The race was decided in the last 150m and I did not have the speed but those girls did,” Kipyego said, adding that she is yet to hit her best form after suffering an injury at the end of 2012.
“I will go home and plan for the future because I believe there is another day.”
EYE-OPENER
But Saina who was taking part in her first World Championships was happy to be in Beijing, saying the experience was an eye-opener in her athletics career.
“We had planned for a very fast race that could have put three of us in the podium but it turned out to be a very slow race. I really wanted to be at the podium but I am happy to be part of world champion running for my country Kenya,” Betsy, a nursing student in America, said.
She said she will use her experience in Beijing as a motivation to do more training with next year’s Olympic in mind.
Meanwhile, by reaching final of the 400 metres hurdles, Boniface Mucheru and Nicholas Bett have already entered history books.
The two could also made history by winning Kenya’s first 400m hurdles medal at world championships level if they achieve that feat Tuesday when the event’s final is held at the National Stadium in Beijing.