Ajabu Africa News

PHOTO:

Kenya's Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (silver), Barhain's Ruth Jebet (gold medal) and USA's Emma Coburn (bronze medal) pose during the podium ceremony for the Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 15, 2016

By:

STEVE OMONDI

Posted:

Aug,15-2016 12:36:29

Hyvin Kiyeng clinched a silver medal for Kenya in the women's a 3,000m steeplechase final that Kenyan--born Ruth Jebet of Bahrain won in supreme fashion on Monday at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Jebet completely destroyed the field and was assured of victory with two laps to go after she opened up an assailable 60m gap between herself and the chasing Kiyeng for a fast winning time of 8:59.77.

Jebet of Bahrain, a former world junior champion, who is known for her blistering pace, was in a class of her own from gun to tape.

Kiyeng would however be made to work extremely hard for the silver medal that she won in 9:07.12 ahead of Emma Coburn of the USA who clocked 9:07.63 to settle for bronze.

"The pace of the race was too fast for the rest of us and under this hot weather, my body just failed to respond at some point," Kiyeng said.

"But I'm happy to have won a silver on my first appearance at the Olympics," she added.

CHEPKOECH FINISHED FOURTH

Kenya had been hopeful of winning at least one medal after placing three runners in the final but Beatrice Chepkoech finished just outside the medal bracket in fourth place on 9:16.05, while Lydia Rotich was a distant thirteenth in a time of 9:34.20.

Kiyeng gracefully conceded that Jebet was good on the day.

"When she broke away I tried very hard to keep up but I couldn't. I have competed against her (Jebet) on many occasions and we know each other very well. She is extremely good," Kiting said.

Kiyeng becomes the fourth medallist for Kenya here in Rio after Vivian Cheruiyot (10,000m) and Paul Tanui (10,000) also won silver.

Jemima Sumgong remains Kenya's sole gold medallist after her victory in the women's marathon on Sunday.

Source:

Nation