Cherop draws inspiration from Obiri in quest for global gold

World Under 20 Athletics Championship 3000m bronze medalist Nancy Cherop has shifted her focus to cross country races to build her stamina on the track as she looks to improve on her third-place finish in the junior championship.

The 16-year old finished in 9:05.98 behind compatriot and winner Betty Chelangat who timed 9:01.03 to beat Ethiopia’s Tsiyon Abebe. Although disappointed by her bronze medal, Cherop says it has motivated her to work towards what she wants.

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“I expected to bring gold and I am not content with my performance in Cali. However, I am grateful to my coach, Peter Bii for working tirelessly to make me the athlete I am today and believing in me. Racing against the Ethiopians was not easy but teamwork delivered for us,” offered Cherop upon return to Kenya.

Cherop says she has drawn a lot of inspiration from Hellen Obiri’s career on track before the Kenya Defence Forces’ athlete moved to road racing after a hugely successful career on track.

“I have always admired Obiri’s success in the 5000m and I told myself from a young age that she is the athlete I would like to emulate in my career. As young athletes it is important to have such athletes to look up to.

After Cali, there is no time to rest. I go back to training knowing that I have a chance to win that gold in the next championship,” she offered.

Kenya has won gold in the last two editions of the junior championship in the distance with Chelagat winning in Cali while Teresia Gacheri won in Nairobi. Kenya had missed out on gold in the distance since Mercy Chebwogen’s victory back in 2012 at the championship held in Barcelona before Gacheri’s win in Nairobi last year.

The next edition of the junior championship is set for between 20 and 25 August 2024 in Lima, Peru.