Jump to content

Mercy Chepkurui

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mercy Chepkurui
Chepkurui at the 2019 ISTAF Berlin meeting
Personal information
Nationality Kenya
Born (2000-09-16) 16 September 2000 (age 24)
Home townTinet Ward, Kuresoi South Constituency, Nakuru County, Kenya[1]
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)3000 metres steeplechase, 3000 metres[2]
College teamMiddle Tennessee Blue Raiders[3]
Achievements and titles
National finals
Personal bests
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Kenya
World U18 Championships
Silver medal – second place 2017 Nairobi 2000 m steeplechase

Mercy Chepkurui (born 16 September 2000), also spelled Mercy Chepkirui, is a Kenyan steeplechase runner. She was the silver medalist in the 2000 m steeplechase at the 2017 World U20 Championships. As a senior athlete, her time of 6:00.31 in that event indoors makes her the 8th-fastest 2000 m steeplechase performer of all time.

Biography

[edit]

Chepkurui attended Tinet High School in the Kuresoi South Constituency of Nakuru County, Kenya.[1]

In 2017, Chepkurui won the 2000 m steeplechase at the Kenyan U18 Trials in a world U18-leading time of 6:27.6, earning her a spot on the Kenyan team at the 2017 IAAF World U18 Championships.[4] At the championships, Chepkurui held a strong lead going in to the final lap, but she tumbled on the final water barrier putting compatriot Caren Chebet [de] into contention. After being passed by Chebet, Chepkurui re-took the lead until 20 metres to the finish, when Chebet passed her again to win the world U18 title while Chepkurui took silver.[5]

The following year, Chepkurui competed at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships, this time at the standard 3000 m steeplechase distance. She qualified for the final and placed 4th behind Celliphine Chespol (who was the second-fastest performer of all time), future Olympic gold medalist Peruth Chemutai, and future World champion Winfred Yavi.[6]

In 2019, Chepkurui joined the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders track and field team.[3] She competed with the Blue Raiders through the 2023 season, with a best regional placing of 55th at the 2021 NCAA Division I South Region Cross Country Championships.[7]

Statistics

[edit]

Personal bests

[edit]
Event Mark Place Competition Venue Date
3000 metres steeplechase 9:23.59 5th Shanghai Diamond League Shanghai, China 18 May 2019
3000 metres 8:56.35 i 7th Meeting Elite en Salle Féminin du Val d'Oise Eaubonne, France 17 February 2020

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Upsets galore at World Under-18 Championships pre-trials". The Nation. 26 May 2017.
  2. ^ Mercy Chepkurui at Tilastopaja (registration required)
  3. ^ a b "Mercy Chepkurui - Women's Cross Country and Track & Field - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics". Middle Tennessee State University Athletics.
  4. ^ Cyrus Sholim (26 May 2017). "Kandie, Chepkirui triumphant at WU18 pre-trials". Citizen Digital.
  5. ^ "Chebet, Chepkirui stage 1-2 sweep for Kenya in steeplechase". The Nation. 2017-07-04.
  6. ^ "Report: women's 3000m steeplechase – IAAF World U20 Championships Tampere 2018". World Athletics. 13 July 2018.
  7. ^ Mercy Chepkurui profile at TFRRS
[edit]