Women lose form ahead of Championships

Mutwiri Mutuota for The Standard

Will August Berlin World Championships be a disaster for the country’s female athletes?
Since female runners hit highs at the 2007 Osaka World Championships and Beijing Olympics last year their performances have been worrying this season.

Top runners such as Olympic champion and world junior record holder, Pamela Jelimo (800m), world champion, Janeth Jepkosgei (800m) and Olympic gold medallist Nancy Jebet Lagat (1,500m) have rung alarm bells with unimpressive displays.

Others including Viola Kibiwott (1,500m), Sylvia Kibet (1,500m), Irene Jelagat (1,500m), Philes Ongori (10,000m), Peninah Arusei (10,000m), Lucy Kabuu (10,000m) and Grace Momanyi (10,000m) have faded after strong displays last year.

The depth of the crisis is illustrated by Athletics Kenya (AK)’s readiness to task World Cross silver winner, Linet Masai (20) as a lone ranger in the women’s 10,000m race in Berlin.
Berlin trials.

The federation curiously chose to omit World Cross fourth finisher, Lineth Chepkurui from the squad despite fulfilling all conditions for selection and their hope lies on emergence of a strong 5,000m athlete at next Saturday’s Trials capable of doubling up in Berlin.

This is being read as opening the door for World Cross senior champion, Florence Kiplagat, who skipped the 10,000m selection event on June 27 and tipped to star in the 5,000m Trials to do both races in Berlin.

Riadha House mandarins, who last month raised the red flag on female athletes’ slump in form and directed coaches to look into the causes of the disparaging performances, are now exuding guarded optimism ahead of the Trials.

"We have nothing to worry about female athletes. Someone like Jelimo clocked 1:59 at a time trial at Nyayo Stadium the other day and most are training hard to be ready for Berlin," AK boss, Isaiah Kiplagat told reporters.

Marathon team

Earlier, Kiplagat had cited the women’s marathon team comprising of Martha Komu, Helena Kiprop, Judy Murage, Irene Lemika and Rispa Kimaiyo in addition to Masai as likely saviours of the country’s cause in Berlin.

Statistics show the country’s female runners trailing in top lists of most mid and long distances ahead of Berlin.

In 800m where Jelimo and Jepkosgei dominated in 2007 and last year, the world champion’s seasonal best of 2:01.31 is outside the globe’s top 20. Last year’s best performer, Jelimo’s top mark of the year (2:02.46) ranks in the 40s.

Kiplagat hinted World Youth Champion, Cherono Koech who won gold in 2:01.67 could be considered for Berlin if she is aged over 17, underlining the concern. In 1,500m, Olympic finalist Kibiwott’s year best of 4:02.70 ranks 17th quickest with Jebet Lagat’s 4:05.06 rating in the 30s on the world list.

Masai (14:34.36) ranks second in 5,000m with world silver winner, Vivian Cheruiyot (14:37.01) ocupying fourth place.