Chelagat using World junior event as launch pad for 800m career

At the young age of 17, Sylvia Chelagat, a form four student at Lelu Secondary in Kericho County believes and lives by Abraham Lincoln's sentiments 'Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.' 

Coming into the World Under-20 Athletics Championship trials at Kasarani ill prepared by her own admission, she still clocked 55.21 to finish first in the women's 400m final, ahead of Mercy Oketch's 55.69 and Ann Mbatha's 55.75 who finished second and third respectively to book a place at the World event due next month. 

With World Athletics’ rules allowing Kenya to field one athlete in events none has achieved the qualification mark, Chelagat is looking to win Kenya a medal in the distance when she lines up against fellow budding sprinters from across the world in the 400m at Kasarani Stadium as Kenya hosts the global event beginning Wednesday 18 August.

"My time during the trials' race was one second off the official qualification time but I know I can do better. I had just left school for a week to prepare for the that race so I was not at my best but I could feel an improvement in my races from the heats through to the final. This world event is just the beginning to my journey of becoming a great 800m runner like my mentor Janeth Jepkosgei," said Chelagat. 

The youngster is one of the budding runners training under the former 800m world champion and Olympics silver medalist Janeth Jepkosgei, nicknamed 'Eldoret Express' who runs Kamoiywo Camp. 

"I am going back to school to catch up with the rest before we head to camp at Kasarani, from July 15, for a month in preparation for the World Under-20. All I can manage while in school is to keep fit. For the upcoming champion, I will work on my speed especially in the final 100m. I have improved from when I started off in the heats to the finals and I believe I can do better," she said after her qualification.

Chelagat's dream is to, however, live in the footsteps of her mentor and her plan will be put in motion immediately she completes her secondary school education. 

"Jepkosgei has motivated me alot. I am just using 400m as a path to running my favourite two-lap race. This is how Jepkosgei began her career and she even admits her times in 400m were not as quick as mine so I know I have great potential. Immediately I am done with school I embark on my 800m career. Since I cannot put in as much work as I would like while I school, u settled for 400m as I sharpen my speed for 800m," said the eloquent runner who trains under coach Hillary Lelei.