Kericho based double Olympic Champion is part of Team Kenya set to represent Kenya in the World Cross Country championships to be held in Bathurst, Australia next year.
Miriam Cherop was named as part of selected team of athletes who made it to Team Kenya during the Athletics Kenya (AK) national trials for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships at Kenya Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru on December 10th this year.
Cherop who romped home second in the 2km senior women race with a personal best of 06:07.7 will represent Kenya in the senior women 2km mixed relay during the World Cross Country Championships due on February 18 next year at Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst, Australia.
The 23-year-old 2016 Africa Junior Women Cross Country champion is a seasoned athlete in 10km and 2km senior women disciplines bagged silver in 2018 World Under-20 1,500m held in Tampere, Finland.
In an interview with the Olympic champion at Kericho Green stadium during a training session of seasoned and upcoming Kericho athletes on Thursday, Cherop expressed optimism she will improve her speed and clinch gold for Kenya.
“My trainings and performances in several build up AK competitions have been going on well and I am happy with the results as I seek to achieve my target. I am hopeful to live my dream and bring home a gold medal,” said Cherop.
The team now has 40 athletes who will report to residential training camp on 10th January 2023. The athlete trains under Coach Gabriel Kiptanui who doubles up as AK First Vice Chairman Kericho branch.
Speaking to KNA, coach Kiptanui said Cherop is dedicated and disciplined in her trainings and has posted excellent personal best times in the past AK build up series competitions this year and was hopeful that she will bring home gold.
“I am positive Miriam will continue posting excellent results at the World Cross Country championships in Australia. She has great potential and is talented in her track disciplines. Currently, we are training to ensure when they report to the training camp she is in good shape,” said Kiptanui.
Kiptanui trains more than 25 athletes. She said the region has great potential for producing great runners with many having brought home medals after competing in World athletic championships.
Runners in Kiptanui’s stable include female long distance runner and 2015 Steeplechase World champion Stella Chelangat, 2019 800metres silver medalist 2019 World U20 in Tampere, Finland Kipngetich Ngeno, 2013 World U18 1,500m steeplechase gold medalist Robert Biwott, Mercy Cherono who broke World Youth record in Women’s 3000m in 2007 in Ostrava, Czech Republic and the reigning world 3,000 steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech.
By Sarah Njagi
