Rising star Chepng’eno hoping to impress in ISF World Cross Country

Sixteen year old Mercy Chepng’eno from Lesirwo Secondary School in Kericho will be hoping to register impressive performances in the upcoming International Schools Sports Federation (ISF) World School Cross Country Championships scheduled for the Ngong Race Course on Sunday 10 May.

The youngster is eager to showcase her skills before a global audience.

She revealed that she learned invaluable lessons from the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term One games that she will be looking to apply in the international competition.

Chepng’eno won the Rift Valley Secondary Schools Sports Association (RVSSSA) 3,000m steeplechase title at Kapsabet Boys.

It was that incredible barefooted run that caused a sensation on social media.

She captured the hearts of viewers countrywide, including Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba, who was moved to support her and her training partners by gifting them with much-needed training gear.

Rising star Mercy Chepng’eno spelling hope for Kenya’s steeplechase

She then proceeded to the nationals, where she defied the odds to come in at position three.

This time around, she will be hoping to conquer the global heights.

She has been enlisted in the under 18 category.

“I am well prepared for the race. I expect to win, just like I did during the school championships. I won the 3,000m steeplechase and impressed Sports cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, who visited our home. I want to thank him for identifying me and bringing me to this camp for the ISF championships. It is an opportunity I did not expect,” she offered.

She will also be hoping to represent Kenya in the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru.

419 participants from 22 countries have already registered for the one-day event.

The countries that have thus far sent their representatives include hosts Kenya, Chile, Uganda, Qatar, China, England, Ireland, Morocco, Tanzania, Rwanda, AEFE Kenya, Namibia, Mexico, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Nigeria, Croatia, Turkey, Luxembourg and Uganda.

Countries expected to arrive include Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Italy and England.

Medals will be up for grabs across three categories of competition including Under 12, Under 15 and Under 18 (boys and girls).

Hosts Kenya boast the largest contingent of athletes (60), followed by East African neighbors Tanzania, who have 29 athletes.

Team Kenya to the ISF Championships is training in Ngong under Athletics Kenya youth coach Robert Ngisirei.

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