Young Tanui makes a comeback

It was not just strange - but comical to a certain extent - when selectors dropped Paul Tanui from the national cross country team in 2008 over shoes.

Despite having qualified, coaches struck Tanui’s name off the final team list because the athlete wasn’t familiar with running shoes. Tanui, 17 at the time, had zero experience with running shoes, forcing coaches to drop the teenager.

Running barefoot in the trials, Tanui had braved a strong challenge and was certain he would have a repeat performance in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the World Championships. But this was not to be.

The coaches had a message for him: “Young man, go back and train with shoes then come back next year.” His legs had developed blisters following rigorous training in Kigari, Embu, where the team had pitched camp, as always.

Though heartbroken, Tanui didn’t give up, neither did his determination to put on the national colours at the World Championships waver.

Second attempt

In 2009, a year older and more comfortable with shoes on the track, he has vowed to return home with gold from Amman, Jordan, where this year’s championships will be held on March 28.

“I know at 18, I have only one attempt left for me before graduating to the senior ranks. There are high expectations but I will not announce my target for now,” he said.

A student at the Kisii Technical College, Tanui was born at Chesubena village in Molo District. He had little inspiration to take up athletics until he moved to Kisii last year and saw the huge interest the event has in the region where he was spotted by coach Evans Bosire.

“I took it upon myself to run and I made the team when I came to Nairobi for the trials. But because I had no experience in running with shoes, I developed problems with my legs and had to be replaced,” he said.

But on his second attempt, Tanui has now cemented his name in the team and wants to make use of the absence of Josephat Bett, the world junior 10,000m Champion to conquer the world in Amman.

Recapture titles

“The training is hard. We are not here on a holiday. But we have to go through this to gain maximum at the end of the day. I do not expect the challenge to be simple in Jordan either,” he said.

Head coach, Julius Kirwa, said he had reviewed the team’s performance and is still not happy with their speed. “They are in good shape, but there  are yawning gaps. We have two weeks to work on that but first they need to adjust their speed. This is a crucial element that will determine their medal prospects,” said Kirwa.

Alongside Tanui, Kenya has World Junior 5,000m silver medallist Titus Mbishei, John Kemboi, John Kipkoech, and Charles Chepkurui Kibett. “These athletes have a perfect blend. They know each other well, how to adjust and will form a good team,” he said.