Chespol stoops to conquer

Dibaba fails in record bid

Celliphine Chepteek Chespol of Ethiopia wins the 3000m Steeplechase during the 2017 Prefontaine Classic Diamond Leagueat Hayward Field on

May 26, in Eugene, Oregon. (AFP)

EUGENE, United States, May 27, (AFP): Teenaged Kenyan star Celliphine Chespol recovered from a lost shoe to win the 3000m steeplechase with the second fastest time in history at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting on Friday.

Chespol, still just 18, stormed to victory after a thrilling duel with Olympic champion and world record holder Ruth Jebet and fellow Kenyan Beatrice Chepkoech over the closing laps at Eugene’s Hayward Field.

Chespol’s hopes of a win looked to have evaporated when she stumbled on the water jump on the penultimate lap, appearing to lose her shoe as Jebet and Chepkoech pulled ahead.

Despite stooping to adjust her footwear, the teenager regained her composure and clawed back the lost ground before producing a devastating burst of speed up the home straight to finish in 8min 58.78sec. Only the Kenyan-born Jebet of Bahrain, the world record holder with 8:52.78, has run faster. “It was difficult but I try my best. I’m happy of course,” Chespol said afterwards.

Chespol’s outstanding performance was the highlight of the opening night of the two-day event, which resumes Saturday with a star-studded programme. Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana of Movistar Team celebrates on the podium with the overall leader pink jersey after the 20th stage of 100th Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy from Pordenone to Asiago of 190 km on May 27, in Asiago.