Lasitskene clinches a record third world title
CHEPKOECH WINS
Kenyan Beatrice Chepkoech was so new to the steeplechase two years ago that she missed a water jump and had to make a U-turn, costing her a medal at the world championships. Since then, she has gained experience, broke the world-record, and Monday, won the world title in dominating fashion.
Chepkoech blazed out to a big lead and only got stronger from there as she finished in 8 minutes, 57.84 seconds, 4 1/2 seconds ahead of runner-up Emma Coburn of the U.S.
“I decided to be in front,” Chepkoech said.
Coburn had a feeling Chepkoech would jump to a big lead. Coburn, the world champion in 2017, knows that Chepkoech likes to make others hurt by pushing the pace. She stayed patient, hoping her rival would lose steam.
Chepkoech didn’t.
“I was l et t i ng her do her thing,” said Coburn, who finished in a personal-best time of 9:02.35. “That’s how she’s been most successful. The times she’s lost is the times that she’s been with the pack and got out-kicked. But I thought there’s a chance she might come back.”
Chepkoech is a former 100-meter sprinter turned 1,500-meter specialist turned steeplechaser. She made the switch leading into the London world championships and was so raw that she simply forgot to cut inside for the first water jump. She had still finished fourth then. NAKAAYI BAGS GOLD Ugandan Halimah Nakaayi pulled off an upset to win the women’s 800 metres title on Monday while favourite Ajee Wilson was left with another bronze as she ran out of steam with 100 metres left.
Wilson led for most of the race but was overtaken by Nakaayi down the final straight as the Ugandan won in a national record of one minute 58.04 seconds. Raevyn Rogers, another American, also sped past to take silver, leaving Wilson with the bronze she also won in London two years ago.
South Africa’s Caster Semenya, the titleholder and threetime champion, did not take part due to recently-introduced testosterone regulations.