Consistency pays off for Wesley Korir
Former Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir, who is also the Cherangany MP, and his wife Tarah, during a training session at University of Eldoret grounds on May 9, 2016. Korir has been named in the marathon team to represent Kenya in the coming Olympic Games. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- Korir, 33, is among three marathoners who will start for Kenya in men’s team.
- Kipyego replaces Paris Marathon champion Cyprian Kotut who had initially been named in the team before selectors made the changes on Tuesday.
Cherangany Member of Parliament Wesley Korir has said his consistency, performance and his role as a sports ambassador has handed him a maiden call-up to Team Kenya for 2016 Olympic Games.
Korir, 33, is among three marathoners who will start for Kenya in men’s team. The 2014 and 2015 Amsterdam Marathon champion Bernard Kipyego will be the reserve athlete.
(READ: Marathon team takes shape)
Korir, who finished fourth at Boston Marathon on April 18, a race he had won in 2012, explained that the hot and humid conditions in Brazil will be ideal for him as he has ran and won in similar conditions.
WON BRONZE
Kipyego, who won bronze at the 2007 World Cross Country Championships before taking silver at the 2009 World Half Marathon, had been sidelined when the team was selected last Friday with the naming being delayed for Tuesday.
Kipyego replaces Paris Marathon champion Cyprian Kotut who had initially been named in the team before selectors made the changes on Tuesday.
Korir, who finished fifth at 2013 and 2015 Boston Marathon, Berlin and London Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and the 2015 New York City Marathon champion Stanley Biwott, who finished second at London Marathon behind Kipchoge will start for the team.
Reserve athlete
Chicago Marathon champion and World half marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat, who finished third in London last month, will be the reserve in the women’s team. London Marathon champion Jemimah Sumgong, World marathon silver medallist Helah Kiprop and Paris Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho will start.
“A panel of coaches who selected the team looked at performance, consistency and current form,” said Athletics Kenya vice president in charge of competitions Paul Mutwii.
Mutwii said AK delayed in naming the final teams to avoid a repeat of the scenario witnessed before 2013 and 2015 World Championships where athletes withdraw from the team after being shortlisted.
TEAMS
Men:- Eliud Kipchoge, Stanley Biwott, Wesley Korir. Bernard Kipyego (reserve).
Women:- Jemimah Sumgong, Helah Kiprop, Visiline Jepkesho. Florence Kiplagat (reserve).
