It seems that Asia has a certain positive appeal
for Kenya’s national athletics team given its dominance whenever a major
championship is held there. The performances of Kenya’s athletes at the ’88
Seoul Olympics, ’07 Osaka World Championships, 08’ Beijing Olympics and this
year’s Daegu World Championships attest to that fact.
Daegu was by far Kenya’s best ever global
championships with our athletes winning 7 gold medals and accumulating a total
of 17 medals. In doing so, the team exhibited some amazing performances that
proved that we are solidly a global athletics super power finishing 3rd
overall behind the USA and Russia.
For the 1st time ever, three of our
athletes defended their titles from the previous championships, one athlete
successfully completed a double win, and our athletes went 1-2 in 6 different
events in the middle and long distance events. These statistics show how
amazing Kenyan athletes are dominant on the world stage in the middle and long
distance events.
Perhaps the most positive outcome of these Daegu championships
has been the showcase of dominance by our women. For the first time in any
major championship, the Kenyan ladies have stolen the limelight from the men.
With a total of 8 out of 9 possible medals from the distance events and another
2 in the middle distances, their performance is unparalleled in World
Championships history.
Edna Kiplagat started off Kenya’s golden week with
a tremendous run in the marathon leading the women to a first ever clean sweep
of the medals. Our female marathoners
were eager to prove that they are indeed the best going by their exemplary
record in the big city marathons.
Vivian Cheruiyot, as many would agree, was simply
fabulous! In becoming the first Kenyan woman to win double gold medals in the
distance events in a World Championships and successfully defend her title from
Berlin, she displayed remarkable self confidence and total dominance not seen
in a while. Cheruiyot had an astounding championship!
Clearly on her way to assuming legendary status as
queen of the 5000 metres, she now only has the Olympic title to chase after.
Now after discovering her potential at the longer distance, she can choose
whichever distance to run in London 2012. After her exploits in Daegu, I don’t
see anyone standing in her way if she maintains the hunger for success going.
There’s nothing more exciting for our nation like the
dominance of the 3000m steeplechase. Kenya once again proved why it is the most
successful nation in that single event in championship history. Kenya has won
this event consistently since 1991! So much so that we have come to expect it
every time.
Ezekiel Kemboi, this year’s winner and defending
champion, produced a remarkable finish, in a slow race totally suited to his
style, to lead his teammate to 1-2 finish. In winning his third global title,
Kemboi lays claim to being one of the greatest championships steepler ever.
Showing incredible consistency, he has been winning championship medals since
2002 and has more World / Olympic medals than anyone else!
Kemboi has a certain exuberance and bravado about
him going by his celebration after his win. He is one of the most entertaining
athletes on the global scene often drawing attention to himself and delivering
the goods with style.
The men’s 800m final was highly anticipated with
superstar David Rudisha finally striking his first global gold. With the result
never in doubt, it was the manner that he would achieve it that fans wanted to
witness. Rudisha has become such a dominant figure in his event that his
competitors now just fight for the minor places.
Probably the most satisfying victory for Kenya at
these championships had to be the first ever gold medal in the men’s 1500m. Asbel
Kiprop finally lived up to his top billing and showed that he learnt his
lessons well from previous tactical disappointments of Osaka ’07 and Berlin ’09
to execute his race plan perfectly. Pre-race favorite Silas Kiplagat who won
the silver medal still had a strong accomplishment despite his lack of
championship experience. These two athletes at only 22 years are the future of
the event and with the right focus, could dominate it for years to come.
The men’s marathon was another showcase of
dominance by defending champion Abel Kirui who won impressively by two and a
half minutes over his compatriot Vincent Kipruto. Following his championship
record performance in Berlin ’09, Kirui has proved to be the consummate
championship performer and the ultimate ambassador for Kenyan marathoning given
his jovial personality and big smile at the finish.
As much as these Daegu Games were a tremendous
success, there is certainly room for improvement. In the men’s 5000 and 10,000m
we missed out on medals for the first time in a long time. The quality of the athletes
in those two events wasn’t as good as in previous years and it showed when it
came down to the last lap sprint. These two distance events have been
characterized by extremely fast last laps and athletes lacking that all
important quality just don’t stand a chance of medaling.
The underachievement of our athletes in Daegu
included the 3rd place finish of Milcah Chemos was a big upset given her
dominance in the women’s 3000m steeplechase all season. The Olympic champion
Nancy Lagat in the 1500m was obviously having an off year and didn’t make it to
the final. Same as Daniel Kipchirchir Komen in the men’s 1500m who, for the
third time of selection to the national team, still has never made a global
final. My earlier justification for Nixon Chepseba’s inclusion to the Daegu
squad over Komen now has been vindicated given his storming win over all the
medalists in the Zurich Diamond League event this past Thursday.
So it’s back to the selection process. Extremely
high standards have been set by this group of athletes and Athletics Kenya must
select individuals capable of making it to the podium in the future. The
wildcard system must be put to good use in selecting capable individuals who
probably weren’t on top of their game at the trials. London 2012 is just 11
months away and we must work on our weaknesses if we expect to win more medals
at the Olympics.
There were so many incredible stories and
performances by our athletes at these championships. It is time for our
athletes to ride on their successes to endorse local brands and become
effective ambassadors of sport for the country.
Congratulations to all the athletes who have
brought glory to Kenya in Daegu in its best ever championships.
