Kenya's Cherotich and Chepkoech nominated for Rising Star Award

Kenya's Faith Cherotich celebrates with the flag after winning the women's 3,000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia on August 5, 2022. [Athletics Kenya]

Faith Cherotich, who powered to a stunning victory in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia has been nominated for the World Athletics 2022 Women's Rising Star Award.

Also nominated for the awards is Cherotich's compatriot Jackline Chepkoech - the 3000m steeplechase Commonwealth champion.

The Kenyan duo is part of five under-20 athletes nominated yesterday by World Athletics for the Women's Rising Star of the year, which will recognise the 2022's best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards in December.

Cherotich had a momentous season, winning the World U20 3000m steeplechase champion title after topping the World U20 Championships Trials in Nairobi and placing third at the Diamond League Finals.

At the World Championships in Colombia, the rising star defeated Ethiopians Sembo Almayew and Meseret Yeshanew, who took the second and third places respectively.

Cherotich, a Form Three student at Kalyet Secondary School in Kericho County ran a brilliant race setting a fast pace that the rest of the field couldn't match in the August World competitions.

"World Athletics is delighted to announce the five nominees for the 2022 Women's Rising Star Award, which will recognise this year's best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2022," the World Athletics announced.

The World Athletics body added: "The nominations reflect the many standout performances that the sport has witnessed this year, at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and other events around the world."

On the other hand, Chepkoech - the 2021 World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase gold medalist claimed the Commonwealth title in the water and barrier race, timing 9:15.68.