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Africa Cross Country champion Chespol returns from nasty accident

Monday, January 10th, 2022 12:10 | By
Celliphine Chespol wins women’s 10km race during Prisons Cross Country championships at Ruiru Grounds on Saturday. Photo/PD/David Ddolo

Africa Cross Country champion Celliphine Chespol has recounted her journey after recovering from an accident to winning the Kenya Prisons Service Cross Country Championships women’s 10km title.

Chespol, the two-time world Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion, admitted it has been a journey working to regain full fitness.

“I thank God for the victory and the comeback, having recovered from a nasty accident early last year that caused me a place at the Tokyo Olympic Games. I was hit from behind by carwhile training and had to be hospitalised,” said Chespol.

Her  main target this year is the World Athletics Championships due July 15 to 24 in Oregon, United States.

“2022 will be a busy season but I will test myself at the Diamond League among other events ahead of the World Championships trials,” said Chespol who won in 32:42.82 during the race that was held at the Kenya Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru, Nairobi County.

Brilliant Jepkorir was second in 33:46.82 while Abigael Chelangat was third in 34:01.11.

In the men’s race, Charles Mneria made it  four wins in a row  in the men’s 10km race.

He clocked 30:06.5 to edge Boaz Kiprugut , the 2017 Africa Under-20 Championships 1,500m bronze medallist to second position in 30:08.5 as Wilfred Kimitei, the 2016 Africa 10,000m silver medallist sealed the last podium place in 30:17.7.

Nagging injuries

“It’s a great feeling despite battling injuries. I had a nagging hip joint injury that cost me a place in Team Kenya for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Right now, a left leg hamstring injury is also a bother,” said Mneria.

He  hopes all will be well ahead of the World Athletics Championships trials.

“I want to address the hamstring with proper medical care to see how the season will unravel,” Mneria shared with journalists after his victory.

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