Burgeoning 1500m starlet Chebet wants to follow in Kipyegon's footsteps

World Under-20 1500m silver medalist Brenda Chebet says her gradual improvement that saw her bagging her first world medal in Cali,Colombia has cemented her resolve to become a world-class 1500m runner. 

Chebet had finished second to 2021 world champion Purity Chepkirui during the Kenyan trials held at Nyayo Stadium, in 4:08.41. 

She had registered her personal best to 4:05.50 during the Castiglione International Meeting, Stadio Zecchini, Grosseto in May finishing jn fourth-pace before heading to Cali where she dominated her heat to register the fastest qualifying time in 4:12.20 heading to the final.

In the final, Chebet led from gun to tape only to lose the battle in the last 10m to the finish line as Ethiopia's Birke Haylom won in a new championship record of 4:04.27. 

Chebet clocked a new personal best time of 4:04.64, dipping under the 4:05 mark for the first time in her young career. 

"This has been a learning experience for me. I have been working on my kick in the last 100m but clearly I am not there yet and that is where I lost the race. I still have work to do but my target is to get gold in the next event I complete in," offered Chebet. 

WU20: 2-3 in 1500m as Kenya misses podium in 800m, 5000m and 3000m/sc

The athlete who had qualified for both 1500m and 800m but elected to settle for the longer distance for the Cali event says she is happy with her performance and ready to stay make it her main event. 

"This is my race. After concentrating on just 1500m this year I can see the progress and my target is to be part of team Kenya for the Paris Olympics and the world championships the following year.

I draw alot of inspiration from Faith Kipyegon and my plan is to race just like her. I am loving the progress," added Chebet.