How Milcah Chemos’ child inspired her to Kenya’s first 3000m steeplechase gold medal
9th March 2024
Chemos describes the iconic moment as the most memorable one in her incredible track and field career.
- Chemos reveals how sge inspired by her first-born child who had a special request for her.
- She was the first Kenyan woman to win the 3000m steeplechase title in the history of the World Athletics Championships.
- She won the race in a world-leading time of 9:11.65 at the time.
Milcah Chemos Cheywa entered into history books in 2013 when
she became the first Kenyan woman to bag the coveted 3000m steeplechase World
Athletics Championships title.
Chemos, who had tried to win the coveted laurel at the 2009
and 2011 editions, led her compatriot Lydia Chepkurui to secure gold and silver
medals for Kenya in an event which was held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
She crossed the finishing line in a world-leading time of
9:11.65 while Chepkurui clocked 9:12.55 to narrowly beat Ethiopia’s Sofia
Aseffa, who timed 9:12.84.
Play here
and stand a chance of winning the over 354 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
More than a decade later after triumphing in the Russian
capital, Chemos has revealed what motivated her to win the historic medal.
According to the one-time African champion, she was inspired
by her firstborn child, who had a special request for her.
“Before I went to Moscow, the last words she told me was
“Mommy, can you please bring me that medal and a doll?”
She likes the doll (mascot) so she told me “Mommy please
come with one and I will exchange with you,” because she had one from the 2010
Commonwealth Games,” Chemos divulged.
ALSO READ: Lone ranger Violah Cheptoo to compete in highest-paying marathon
She went on to disclose that the only thing that was on her
mind at the final stages of the hotly contested race was to win the elusive
gold medal for Kenya and fulfill the wishes of her daughter.
Thanks to her hard work and determination to thrive, Chemos outpaced
the other competitors and managed to attain her goal.
She described the iconic moment as the most memorable one in
her incredible track and field career.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia take a blow in title race as Murang’a Seal sink
Sofapaka
“It was the best moment in my life. It was like a blessing from her to have that doll at the same time the gold medal itself.
So, I had to
do it for her and my country,” ended the 16-time Diamond League Meeting winner.
Chemos hanged her running spikes a few years later and she currently serves as the athletes’ representative at Athletics Kenya (AK).
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent