NAIROBI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Former Africa steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto has warned her rivals to ignore her at their own peril ahead of this year's World Championships in October.
The 24-year-old former World Junior champion produced the biggest upset at the Oslo Diamond League on Thursday. Producing a meeting record and world lead of 9:03.71, Jeruto ending world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech's unbeaten streak at seven.
"I have not endured a good career since I graduated to the senior ranks. But I am seeking to recapture my lost form and take the challenge to my rivals.
"This year, the focus is first to make the cut in the Kenya team. There are many athletes coming up and making the team to the World Championships is the first priority. But I also want to dominate the Diamond League," she said on Friday.
Kenya is seeking to recapture the gold medal in the steeplechase after Hyvin Kiyeng lost out to American Emma Coburn in London in 2017.
World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech was a disappointing fourth and like Jeruto says she is keen to win a global title and is happy to shelve her plans for a fast time to focus on just that.
Chepkoech, whose last loss came in Rome more than a year ago, is however not taking her loss in Oslo on a chin. She says it was good to keep her on her toes and hopes the competition will drive her to improve.
In Norway she took command 1,300 metres into the race, with Jeruto shadowing closely. As the laps wore on, the order didn't change, with Jeruto running confidently, seemingly waiting for the right moment to make her move.
That came in the final 100 meters. As she was passed, Chepkoech didn't even try to respond, content with her eventual 9:04.30 seasons best.
In a quality race, Kiyeng was third in 9:07.56 with world champion Emma Coburn fourth in 9:08.42.
"There will be another race to amend the anomaly. My focus was on Coburn and I forget that my countrywomen are equally as tough. But I will be back at the Prefontaine for a fast run and see if I can win it," said Chepkoech.
The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon in the United States will be on June 30 and Chepkoech will renew her rivalry with Jeruto, Coburn and Cellephine Cherono in what is dubbed the biggest rivalry in steeplechase race.
