Samuel Chebolei says his focus is now to conquer track season

National cross country champion Samuel Chebolei may have just announced himself to the world in style, but he knows to challenge the global status quo will take hard work.

On Saturday Chebolei won the senior men’s 10km race during the inaugural Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Gold Tour at Lobo Village, Eldoret,  and immediately declared that the World Athletics Championships set to take place in July in Oregon, the US, is one competition that holds a central place to his heart.

“It is my time now,” declared a jubilant Chebolei.

“I am not surprised by my success at the moment. I have put a lot of effort to be here today,” said the former two-time national junior cross winner.

The 20-year-old rues misfortunes that made him miss a debut at the 2020 Olympics as a driving force  to better himself and work toward a major silverware at the global scene.

“Many don’t know what happened to me – that I was unwell which forced me out of Tokyo Games. It was bitter because the news was made known to me a day before the Games, and that is how I missed a chance to feature at the Games in 5000m in Tokyo,” said Chebolei.

Heir apparent

He says he is able to read races brilliantly, something that helps him change strategy when it matters.

On Saturday he took command of the race in the last two of the five-lap race when he broke away from Nicholas Kimeli and Michael Kibet to eventually win in 29:46.

Kimeli was second in 30:00 with Michael Kibet finishing third in 30:10.

Chebolei, younger brother to 2014 Commonwealth 1,500m silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi, is optimistic he will be part of Team Kenya’s squad to the World Championships where he is likely to specialise in the 5,000m race.

“Cross country season is officially over and we are now focused on the track season. I now I have a lot of confidence when facing my races,” added the Nippon Sport Science University 5,000m champion

In the women’s senior race, Kenya Defence Forces’ Joyce Chepkemoi may have officially laid claim as the heir apparent to the throne held by reigning World Cross Country winner Hellen Obiri.

 Chepkemoi led a Kenyan sweep of the podium, timing 34:02 as world 5000m silver medalist Margaret Chelimo (34:09) and Nespine Jepleting (34:22) settled for second and third respectively.

It was the same script for Chepkemoi who had produced a shocking win at the National Cross Country Championships at the same venue two weeks ago.

“I am so excited that once again I have won at this venue. I thank God for today’s victory. It is the right platform I need as I shift my focus to the track and field season,” the 2018 Trento Half Marathon champion said.

My biggest desire this year is to run at the World Championship in Oregon, specifically the 10,000m. I hope by the grace of God it will be a similar story for me as it has been in the cross country.”

The Nocturna Valencia 15km champion also paid tribute to her friend the late Agnes Tirop for her contribution to athletics.

“I am happy to have run and beaten top athletes at the cross country. It was nice to run against athletes from Ethiopia, but the most important part was joining several athletes who loved Tirop in remembering her through what she loved doing,” she said.