It’s Kenya versus Ethiopia, again, in women’s steeplechase final

Kenya and Ethiopia will, once again, go head-to-head in the battle for gold when the women’s steeplechase final goes down on Friday evening in the ongoing World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi.

Ethiopia were dominant on the first day with Kenya avenging on Day Two when the host nation struck double gold and double silver so, on paper, the 3,000m women’s steeplechase will be a determinant of sorts.

The growing strength of Ethiopian steeplechasing should once again be on full display as Zerfe Wondemagegn heads the field, the 18-year-old holding a best of 9:16.41, which she ran to finish eighth in the Olympic final earlier this month.

She will take some stopping if showing up in the same form though Kenyan duo Jackline Chepkoech and Faith Cherotich should keep her on her toes, Chepkoech winning their national U20 trials in 9:32.99 to Cherotich’s 9:33.02.

Hungary’s Greta Varga will lead the European charge, the 17-year-old a silver medallist at the European U20 Championships last month who has a best of 9:50.63.

Ethiopia’s Emebet Kebede and Morocco’s Soukaina Elhaji should also be in the shake-up for minor medals. PHOTO/COURTESY

Additional reporting by World Athletics