Celestine Biwott (M) Image source: Kenya Sports & Imago

Celestine Biwott, a late addition to Kenya’s steeplechase squad, believes that with the right effort, she can push defending champion Winfred Yavi at the World Championships.

Celestine Biwott has opened up about the possibility of dethroning Winfred Yavi at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for September 13 to 21.

Celestine Biwott, a late inclusion in the squad, revealed she had been training tirelessly to stay ready for any opportunity that came her way.

Her call-up followed Faith Cherotich’s Diamond League final victory in Zurich, which opened the door for Celestine Biwott’s addition to the steeplechase team under World Athletics rules. At the Athletics Kenya World Championships trials, Celestine Biwott finished fourth.

The Kenyan expressed her excitement ahead of her debut at the global showpiece, noting that her training has been nothing short of impressive.

Celestine Biwott added that she also made her Diamond League, competing against Winfred Yavi, who set the world record in the steeplechase mile.

“This will be my first time competing at the World Championships, and I feel so good. The training has been impressive. I competed in my first Diamond League in Brussels in the steeplechase mile that was being launched,” Celestine Biwott admitted.

Speaking about her targets ahead of the global showpiece, she disclosed that beating the defending champion, Winfred Yavi, is a possibility, but she has to make the final first.

She revealed that they have not had discussions as a team on the best way to take on Winfred Yavi, adding that it will not be an easy task.

According to Celestine Biwott, major championships are always hard to predict who might win, but they will do all it takes to ensure they come back with medals.

“At the moment, I haven’t sat down and had a conversation with my fellow athletes on how best to defeat Yavi. I must admit that a championship is not easy, and we just have to go and do our best because you can’t predict who will win. I want to get to the final, and then we shall see what happens,” she added.

Now, all eyes will be on Team Kenya to make a mark and hopefully reclaim the women’s 3000m steeplechase title that was last won by Beatrice Chepkoech at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.