Bett carries huge weight of expectation in steeplechase
Kenya's Dominic Abunda trains on October 2, 2020 at the Nyayo National Stadium on the eve of the World Athletics Gold Tour Kip Keino Classic.
What you need to know:
- Awuah, who has competed in the 100 metres race 12 times in the last two months and has ran three 200m races, will line up in women’s 200m contest.
- Lights, camera, action! With Conseslus out, youngster shoulders responsibility
Kenya’s lead steeplechaser, Leonard Bett, is very much of the pressure that awaits him at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
With Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto out of the event, Bett says a lot is expected of him in front of home fans and an expectant nation.
Fresh from finishing second during the Monaco Diamond League meeting in August where he just fell short of his personal best time, clocking eight minutes, 8.78 seconds, Bett is tipped to be the next big thing in the water and barrier race.
Stakes high
He knows the stakes are high.
"It is a big event in Kenya and definitely I have to show up and perform well. I have trained well and I'm good to go. The race will not be easy considering many countries are coming up pretty well in as far as the race is concerned, but we will be keen to retain the title that has been a preserve for Kenyans," said Bett, who has a personal best of 8:08.61 during the pre-event press briefing at the Nairobi National Park.
The 2017 World Under-18 Championships 2,000m steeplechase champion lines up against Africa Games champion Benjamin Kigen, Abraham Kibiwott, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist.
At same time, the 2014 Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono said today’s race will help her plan for the next year’s events.
Cherono, who has been in the cold thanks to nagging injuries, has been fielded in the women's 1,500m.
"I'm excited ahead of the event. It has not been easy for the sportsmen but I'm ready for the long awaited return to the competition.
"I started training last year and I had hoped to compete fully this season but the coronavirus brought everything almost to a standstill, but I'm glad everything is slowly opening up," said the 29-years-old star.
Tazan Kamanga, the Danish sprinter with Zambian roots, who dropped rugby for sprints, said Kenya has potential to explore in the short-races. Kamanga, who competes in 100m and 200m, said what the country needs is proper foundation.
