Lilian Kasait has opened up about entering the World Cross Country Championships women’s senior race as an underdog and eventually scooping a silver medal.
World Road Running 5km silver medallist Lilian Kasait is over the moon after bagging a silver medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Kasait was aware that not everyone would believe in her but she was grateful that God granted her the chance to do well, something she does not take for granted. She finished an impressive second behind the now two-time champion Beatrice Chebet as Margaret Chelimo completed the podium.
Speaking in an interview after the race, Kasait admitted that the race was a tough ordeal since everyone wanted to win and all the athletes, especially the Kenyans were very strong.
Beatrice Chebet and Jacob Kiplimo will certainly be smiling to the bank following their dominant exploits at the World Cross Country championships that saw them win back-to-back titles.
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“The race was tough since we were all strong…I thank God for the victory and I know everyone was not believing in me but God believed in me and I made it to win a silver medal,” she said.
The 26-year-old noted that missing out on the gold medal was not disappointing since she had never won a silver medal in the cross country before.
She explained that the cross-country win gives her motivation to keep going ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where she hopes to be selected. Kasait also reveled at Team Kenya scooping the top five slots, terming it as ‘the best feeling ever.’
Emmaculate Anyango has admitted that qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be hard for her and cited the main reason why.
“It’s a really great medal and means a lot to me and it has motivated me to stay strong as I gear up for the Olympics.
“I’ll use this cross country as a build-up to the Paris Olympics and I’m hoping I’ll be in the team and I’ll do my best.
“It’s the best feeling ever…we talked about helping each other and taking all the top slots. It’s not disappointing to win a silver medal,” she said.