Kenya bags silver, bronze in 10,000m as Farah makes history
What you need to know:
- While Kipsang and Kimetto did not finish, Korir returned 22nd. Ethiopian Yemane Tsegay bagged silver in 2:13.07 while Uganda’s Solomon Mutai took the bronze in 2:13.29.
- Kemboi, who is seeking his fourth world title, won heat three in 8:24.75, while Brimin Kipruto was third in 8:24.95.
- Conseslus Kipruto won the first heat in 8:41.41 beating American national record holder Evan Jager, who clocked 8:41.51.
IN BEIJING
The 10,000m trio of Geoffrey Kamworor, Paul Tanui and Bedan Karoki salvaged some Kenyan pride on Day One of the 2015 World Athletics Championships here after a horror show in the men’s Marathon.
After a disappointing performance in the first event of the day, where the highly-fancied team of Wilson Kipsang, Dennis Kimetto and Mark Korir went AWOL on the road, Kenya ended the day with some hope.
The 10,000m trio gave their all in a breathtaking battle with Great Britain’s Mo Farah that could have gone either way. Eventually, Farah won the gold in 27:01.13, Kamworor bagged silver in 27:01.76 while Tanui the bronze in 27:02.83. Karoki was fourth in 27:04.77.
It was however not a normal day in the office for the Briton as Kamworor and Tanui pushed him to the tape in a thrilling race. “The fact that he beat us by half a second shows he’s beatable,” said Kamworor, the World cross country champion, after the race.
After the race, the New York City Marathon director, Peter Ciaccia, announced that Kamworor will be making his road debut at the Big Apple. “Geoffrey is one of the most versatile athletes in the sport and will be a treat for New Yorkers to get to see him race in person,” Ciaccia said in a statement.
The Kenyan trio had planned to set a high pace in the initial stages in a bid to drop Farah.
“We went as per our plan (high pace) but unfortunately, he was able to keep up with the pace and closed the gap. “When we saw that he had caught up with us, we decided the only option was to sprint in the final stage but he (Farah) came out stronger,” Kamworor said, adding that he believes he can beat Farah in the Olympics.
TERRIBLE HEAT
Tanui said winning silver and bronze, and also taking fourth position, was a big improvement. “We will try our luck next year and see if we can beat him,” the Japan-based runner added.
Karoki, the World cross country silver medallist, said he was happy with the teamwork they displayed. In the men’s Marathon, a 19-year-old Eritrean teen, Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, stunned the world when he beat heavyweights to claim victory.
Ghebreslassie, taking part in his third marathon, clocked 2:12.27 to claim victory in a race where world record-holder Kimetto, his predecessor Kipsang and the man with the best time this season, Paris Marathon champion Korir, performed badly. While Kipsang and Kimetto did not finish, Korir returned 22nd. Ethiopian Yemane Tsegay bagged silver in 2:13.07 while Uganda’s Solomon Mutai took the bronze in 2:13.29.
“I am so proud of this victory. This is my first gold medal in my first marathon championships,” said Ghebreslassie, who skipped university to become a marathoner against his parents’ wishes. Korir was clearly shocked after the race. “That heat was terrible. The air was heavy. Tough race,” he stammered out as he walked past shaking his head in disbelief after finishing almost eight minutes behind the teenager at position 22 in 2:21.19. “I am used to running in cooler conditions but something like 10, 30 degrees was too much. It destroyed us,” Kimetto said.
Kipsang said: “When I got to the 30km-mark, I could not go farther. I said let me save myself. The sun, the heat was too much. I was burning and I couldn’t even breathe. I tried to gasp for air nothing was going in I just left the course. I came for medals not to drop out. This is the first time I have failed to finish a marathon.”
In the other races, Kenyans easily sailed through. In the men’s 400m hurdles, Nicholas Bett and Boniface Mucheru won their respective heats in 48.37 secs and 48.79secs (PB). Haron Koech finished fifth in 49.38 secs (PB) in heat five but also qualified.
In the men’s 800m heats, World record holder David Rudisha won his sixth heat in 1;48.31, beating Kenyan-turned Bahrain citizen Abraham Rotich who clocked 1:48.42 for second place.
“Qualification gives us the morale after the marathon where our runners didn’t turn up. But for me these conditions are great for racing and looking forward to a better semi-final,” said Rudisha.
TOUGH BATTLE
Ferguson Rotich won his heat in 1:45.83, while Alfred Kipketer finished second in his heat in 1:46.67. “I had a good start but struggled in the outer lane. I need to work on the last 150m,” said Rotich. In the 3,000m steeplechase, world champion Ezekiel Kemboi and company also advanced from their heats.
Kemboi, who is seeking his fourth world title, won heat three in 8:24.75, while Brimin Kipruto was third in 8:24.95.
Conseslus Kipruto won the first heat in 8:41.41 beating American national record holder Evan Jager, who clocked 8:41.51.
Diamond League leader Jairus Birech (8:25.77) beat Bilal Tabti of Algeria (8:26.99). A tough battle is expected between Kenyans and Ethiopians in the women’s 1500m after Kenya’s medal hope Faith Chepng’etich qualified from her heat in 4:02.77. The heat, which was won by favourite Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia in 4;02.59, produced eight qualifiers. Nancy Chepkwemoi was third in 4:05.65 in the first heat won by Besu Sado of Ethiopia in 4:05.39.
