NAIROBI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Former world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya will end her two-year sabbatical after the birth of her first child by returning to action as she seeks a ticket to the Commonwealth Games in April.
The 34-year-old has not competed since 2016 and has since returned to training and will be heading to Nairobi for the Kenya trials for the Commonwealth Games, which will be held on the Gold Coast, in Australia from April 4-15.
However, Jepkosgei, who is known as "Eldoret Express" will get back to tackling the 1,500m event.
"See I have shed off the weight and am back in training after my maternity leave. I have opted to ditch the 800m and will go for the 1,500m race. I can't rule out running at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. But let us see how my body reacts this season," Jepkosgei said on Friday in Eldoret.
The Kenyan trials for the Commonwealth Games will be held in Nairobi on Feb 16-17.
Jepkosgei is due to face Olympic silver medalist Margaret Wambui and former world champion Eunice Sum.
However, reigning world and Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon has ruled herself out of action this year. She is expecting her first child.
Jepkosgei made her name at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games when she defeated the legendary Maria Mutola in the 800m finals.
She went on to win gold at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan and won silver in Berlin in 2009 and bronze at the Daegu 2011 Championships. She also won silver at the Beijing Olympics.
She hopes to return to Australia in April and reignite her career in the very country that gave her the platform to showcase her talent to the world. The "Eldoret Express" is certainly not making its final stop yet.
