Double World Under 20 3,000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol believes Kenyans have the capacity to successfully defend their title when this year’s World Championships begin next week in Eugene, Oregon.

Kenya will go to the championship keen to retain the title they won in Doha, Qatar three years ago, World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech winning in a convincing manner.

Chespol feels the delayed championships will be an opportunity for Kenya to bounce back from the disappointment of 2020 Olympics when former World Champion Hyvin Kiyeng settled for bronze. She was the best placed Kenyan in the race.

Now returning to the senior championships for the third time in a row, Chespol is confident Kenya has a strong team for the championship.

“We are still very bitter with Tokyo performance because we failed to win the Olympic title but this time we are going to work together and bring back the title. We have a strong team that consists of a world record holder (Chepkoech), reining under 20 champion Jackline Chepkoech and Purity Kirui, a strong side in my opinion,” said Chespol.

Personally, the 23-year-old is planning on a better show than sixth place finish at the 2017 Championship held in London, United Kingdom, and Doha two years later, failing to qualify in totality for Tokyo was equally bitter.