This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
Published on October 5, 2019, by James Onyango Mwamba.
World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri has declared she is in good shape to defend her title at the World Championships in Doha.
Obiri will compete in the final of the women's 5000m race on Saturday night alongside fellow Kenyans Lilian Kasait and Margaret Chelimo.
Despite contemplating pulling out of the race after finishing fifth in the women's 10,000m event, Obiri has recovered well and is now focused on defending her title.
"I have recovered well from the 10,000m race. The 10,000m race proved tough and I subsequently contemplated pulling out of 5,000m, but I changed my mind and competed to see how my body would react," Obiri said.
Obiri, who carries the fastest time this season of 14:20.36, aims to defend her title and is confident of her chances.
Obiri's fellow competitors, Kasait and Chelimo, are also optimistic about their chances, with Chelimo stating that having three Kenyans in the final increases the country's medal prospects.
