Chepkoech the runaway winner in steeplechase at worlds

Kenyan Beatrice Chepkoech was so new to the steeplechase two years ago that she missed a water jump and had to make a U-turn, costing her a medal at the world championships.

Since then, she has gained experience, broke the world-record, and Monday, won the world title in dominating fashion.

Chepkoech blazed out to a big lead and only got stronger from there as she finished in 8 minutes, 57.84 seconds, 4 1/2 seconds ahead of runner-up Emma Coburn of the U.S.

Beatrice Chepkoech, of Kenya, reacts after winning the the women's 3000 meter steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoNick Didlick)

"I decided to be in front," Chepkoech said.

Coburn had a feeling Chepkoech would jump to a big lead. Coburn, the world champion in 2017, knows that Chepkoech likes to make others hurt by pushing the pace. She stayed patient, hoping her rival would lose steam.

Chepkoech didn't.

Emma Coburn, of the United States chases runaway leader Beatrice Chepkoech, of Kenya, the women's 3000 meter steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek)

"I was letting her do her thing," said Coburn, who finished in a personal-best time of 9:02.35. "That's how she's been most successful. The times she's lost is the times that she's been with the pack and got out-kicked. But I thought there's a chance she might come back."

Chepkoech is a former 100-meter sprinter turned 1,500-meter specialist turned steeplechaser. She made the switch leading into the London world championships and was so raw that she simply forgot to cut inside for the first water jump.

She still finished fourth.

Halimah Nakaayi, of Uganda, reacts in front of Raevyn Rogers, of the United States, as she wins the women's 800 meter final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

"At that time in 2017, I was not having any experience for the steeplechase," she explained. "Now, I have enough experience. That's why I won the race today."

FROM OUT OF NOWHERE

Rounding the final bend in the 800 meters, American Raevyn Rogers was in seventh and out of the picture. With a late surge, she charged all the way to the silver medal and nearly caught winner Halimah Nakaayi of Uganda. Ajee Wilson of the United States finished third.

Mariya Lasitskene, participating as a neutral athlete, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's high jump final during the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

"I knew I was close to the back," Rogers explained. "I just went for it."

It was a race held without defending champion Caster Semenya of South Africa. She missed the championships as she fights the IAAF's latest version of a regulation that forces her to lower her level of natural testosterone.

Nakaayi was the surprise winner in a personal-best time of 1:58.04.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, of Ukraine reacts after making a clearance in the women's high jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)

Asked about not having Semenya in the field, Nakaayi said: "I just focus on my own race. I couldn't focus on Caster Semenya."

EARLY CELEBRATION

There was confusion in the women's high jump as Ukrainian silver medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh seemed to start celebrating before the competition was finished.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, of Ukraine, reacts after competing in the women's high jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoNick Didlick)

Mahuchikh and Russian Mariya Lasitskene had both cleared 2.04 meters, far ahead of their rivals, when Mahuchikh grabbed a Ukrainian flag and started jumping up and down in front of the stands.

With the crowd expecting a duel for the gold, Lasitskene seemed frustrated and walked over to the referees' table, signaling at Mahuchikh's celebrations.

Having already beaten her personal best, Mahuchikh surprised many onlookers by deciding not to attempt a higher jump, giving Lasitskene — competing as a neutral athlete because of Russia's doping suspension — a third gold medal. Though Mahuchikh and Lasitskene had both cleared the same height, Mahuchikh would have had to jump higher than the Russian to take gold since she had posted six failures at lower heights.

Devon Allen, of the United States, left, and Antonio Alkana, of South Africa, compete in the men's 110 meter hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek)

Vashti Cunningham of the U.S. took third.

NCAA REFORM

Hurdler Devon Allen was a football player at the University of Oregon before focusing on a track career. That's why he has an interest in seeing the ramifications of California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a law allowing college athletes to make money from endorsements. California will let college athletes hire agents and make money from endorsements , defying the NCAA and setting up a likely legal challenge that could reshape U.S. amateur sports.

Allen, who advances to Wednesday's semifinal of the 110-meter hurdles, thinks it's a step in the right direction.

"It's just weird that in the media, when someone breaks NCAA rules, it's like they're a criminal," Allen said. "They make it seem like you're the worst person in the world if you take some money or you sell your shoes."

AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed to this report.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.

“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”

Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.

“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”

Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.

Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.

The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.

He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.

“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”

Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”

“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)