Kemboi, Sum get just rewards

Double-Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi and world women’s 800m gold medallist Eunice Sum are Athletics Kenya’s male and female athletes of the year.

Eunice Sum and Ezekiel Kemboi taking a sip of Kalenjin sour milk ‘mursik’ after winning AK male and female athlete of the year during AK gal night at Sports club in Eldoret

The duo were crowned on Thursday night at a colourful AK Gala Night at an  Eldoret Sports Club.

The ceremony concluded a three-day athletes seminar.

Kemboi was an outstanding performer in the outgoing season picking a  gold medal at the 14th IAAF world championships in Moscow.

His consistency kept Kenya’s grip on the event intact.

The man becoming better known around the world for his post victory jig, did not disappoint as he marched to the podium performing his familiar dance to receive his award.

In his acceptance speech, he expressed delight that his 13-year track career had been recognised.

“All I can say is this is the work of God.I am very happy with the award and I will continue raising Kenya’s flag,”Kemboi promised.

On her part Sum rejuvenated Kenya’s hopes in the women’s 800m race having been dominated by South Africa’s Caster Semenya and Russian Mariya Savinova.

It was Kenya’s redemption moment captured across the world since no one expected her to floor  defending champion Savinova running on home soil.

The Kenyan not only beat her at the worldshow  but continued to dominate the Diamond League and other global competitions.

“It has taken me hard work and dedication to earn this award. I am very grateful. I am looking forward to representing my country in the future,” Sum said.

The world record award went to Wilson Kipsang who set the new marathon record (2.03.23) at the 2013 Berlin race.

Javelin thrower Julius “You-tube man” Yego won the most outstanding performance and field events award while women’s world  marathon winner Edna Kiplagat scooped the women’s marathon award.

The women’s steeplechase award went to the first Kenyan woman to win world championship  gold Milcah Chemos while the middle distance award went to Asbel Kiprop and Eunice Sum.

Taking the sprinters’ awards were Mike Mokamba and Maurine Chelagat. The most promising athlete award went to javelin thrower Alex Kiprotich with Conseslus Kipruto and Lydia Chepkirui taking the most improved athletes awards.

Cherangany MP Wesley Korir won the service to the community award while veteran coach David Letting scooped the long service award. Coaches Sammy Rono and Charles Ng’eno were crowned the senior and junior coaches of the year respectively.

Paul Tanui and Gladys Cherono won the male and female 10,000m award while 5000m award went to Isaiah Kiplagat and Mercy Cherono.

Also awarded were the gold, silver and bronze medal stars at the world, cross country, world youth, Africa championships, Africa youth and veterans.

By STANLEY MAGUT, The Star

Kemboi, Sum get just rewards

Kemboi, Koech and Kipruto in steep chase for medals

A mouth-watering battle awaits in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase as Kenyans parade for the final tonight here in Moscow.

Paul Kipsiele Koech

The event is set for 9:20 pm Kenyan time.  President Uhuru Kenyatta was expected to watch the action in person but Kenyan officials are yet to confirm his attendance.

World and Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi has dominated the event for the better part of the decade and will be seeking to match the accomplishments of his coach Moses Kiptanui and secure a hat-trick of titles following his successes in Berlin and Daegu respectively.

Race experts have predicted that Kemboi will win if the pace is slow, while compatriot Conseslus Kipruto might carry tha day if the pace is fast.

“All four men are ready for action. We are optimistic of winning the three medals on offer. Let us wait and see,” said coach Boniface Tiren.

Kemboi, 31, is also a two-time Olympic champion and should he climb the podium in the Russian capital tonight, it be will be his sixth straight medal at the World Championships after the Kenyan also claimed successive steeplechase silver medals in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 editions.

Kemboi’s post-race celebratory dance routines have become a familiar sight at major championships and after setting a world leading time of 7:59.03 in Paris, it remains to be seen whether he will be three times lucky at the Luzhniki Stadium.

For all his outstanding pedigree, Kemboi will face a strong challenge from his countryman and fast rising teenage talent Conselus Kipruto in the final.

Major breakthrough

Some 13-years younger than Kemboi, the 2011 world youth champion and last year’s world junior champion, has made a major breakthrough in the senior ranks this season. He is unbeaten in five steeplechase races including the IAAF Diamond League series. He has also beaten Kemboi twice, in Oslo and Nairobi.

Kenya’s enviable strength and depth in this event is further bolstered by the presence of Paul Kipsiele Koech, the third fastest steeplechaser in history.

Koech, 31, won a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics but despite recording a sub-8 minute career best,  he has often missed out on the selection for major championships.

Completing the outstanding Kenyan quartet is London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist and African champion Abel Mutai, who finished second at the Kenyan trials.

But France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad could stop what would be Kenya’s third sweep in the history of the world championships.

By JONATHAN KOMEN, The Standard

Kemboi, Koech and Kipruto in steep chase for medals