Kazakh athlete loses a shoe but shows grit in Tokyo steeplechase

Daisy Jepkemei of Kazakhstan lined up for the 3,000-metre steeplechase in Tokyo with two shoes – but she only crossed the finish line with one.

The Asian champion lost her left spike early in her heat at the world championships when another runner appeared to clip her from behind.

She first tried to continue with the loose shoe, but eventually kicked it off. A track official picked up the bright yellow-orange spike.

Tackling the rough water jump barefoot, Kenyan-born Jepkemei – her toenails painted red – avoided a fall but couldn’t keep pace.

A stumble never came, but neither did qualification.

Source: Sports Yahoo