NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 22 – Newly-crowned world junior cross country bronze medalist Pamela Kosgei has credited her elder sister, world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei, for positively impacting her athletics career.
Pamela described Brigid as a role model who is constantly encouraging her to keep going in her young athletics career and to trust in God at all times.
“She is always looking out for me…congratulating me when I do great and encouraging me at all times. She is always advising me never to give up hope in the face of adversity and to keep working hard and trusting in God,” Pamela said.
The 18-year-old earned her first-ever career medal, on her second appearance at the international level, when she clocked 0:21:01 to finish third in the junior women’s race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia over the weekend.
Pamela’s debut participation in an international competition was at last year’s World Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia where she finished fifth in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
Her success in Australia has buoyed her for the upcoming track and field season with the youngster keen on next month’s Africa Under 18 and Under 20 Championships in Lusaka, Zambia.
She is all about baby steps as she hopes to eventually fly the national flag at the World Championships and the Olympics.
“My aim is to now win gold at the Africa junior championships, specifically in the 3000m steeplechase. I haven’t had much time to train for the track and field season because all my attention was drawn to the World Cross Country. Now is my time to go back to training and I am confident that all will work according to plan,” Pamela, who trains at Kapsait athletics camp, said.
She added: “As for the World Championships, my participation will depend on whether I am mentally ready for it or not. For now I want to compete in the Africa junior championships and then afterwards, we will see where we are.”
Even as she goes through her paces, Pamela further divulged that she has not lost sight of her books rather uses every slight chance away from the training ground to catch up on her studies.
“I am always careful not to spend a lot of time away from books because, due to training and competitions, I find myself lagging behind my other classmates. So, even in Australia, I carried my books along and would use every opportunity to work on my homework,” the youngster, who will be sitting her Form Four exams this year, said.
