Kenya's Milcah Chemos Cheywa celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) |
Milca Chemos, the Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion, will bring her gold medal smile to Hampden Park Stadium here tonight.
Chemos, who won the IAAF World Championships in Moscow last year, will carry to the line-up her 9:07.14 best mark, which is the fourth fastest time in the water and barriers race.
The runner from Trans Nzoia County returns to Hampden Park Stadium, where she ran her only race this season and posted 9:21.91.
Chemos, who started running after she was recruited into the Kenya Police Service, successfully ensured Kenya breaks away from the traditional bronze medal spree at major global competitions.
Her daredevilry makes her stand out from other Kenyan athletes. As a police officer, she is best remembered for arresting and prosecuting a senior politician while serving at a police station in Machakos County.
“I fear no one, whether discharging my professional duties or in competition. We will give our best here. The end justifies the means,” said Chemos.
Chemos, who is married to former 1,500m runner Alex Sang and lives in Kesses in Eldoret, came up with a new trademark dance after the victory: “Jesus never fails. I had the blessings from all over. My eight-year-old daughter Lavine Chemutai has called me in the morning and asked me to take home the gold. And I have it.”
“I really pray to God to allow me perform well here and add to the medals I have won at the world championships. I know the challenge here is no easy,” said Chemos, who is among a handful of runners who picked up athletics after getting recruited into the Kenya Police Service.
Chemos, won did not compete in the national trials and only competed in one race this season, has a mountain to climb in her bid to retain the water and barriers race title.
Kenya had long been relegated to bronze medals since 2005 Helsinki Worlds. Jeruto Kiptum, a former student of Sing’ore Girls High, set the bronze medal spree at the Helsinki spectacle for Kenya before Eunice Jepkorir replayed in Osaka, Japan, in 2007.
She will team up with former world junior champion 3,000m steeplechase champion Purity Cherotich and new catch Joan Rotich.
Cherotich, who trains in Sigowet Athletics Club in Kericho County, can well pull a surprise when called upon tonight.