Prepare for a new Samba jig, steeplechase star Kemboi tells fans

Four-time world 3,000 steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi has revealed that he will be doing a new dance for his fans if he wins gold at the Rio Olympic Games.

“If I win, I will do an improvised samba jig that will entertain both Kenyans and Brazilians,” said Kemboi, who hails from Elgeyo Marakwet.

Kemboi, a two-time Olympics champion, said he was looking forward to winning another gold medal.

Speaking to the Sunday Nation Sport after a training session at University of Eldoret, Kemboi, said he was more than ready for the competition.

“I have been training well so far and I am positive that if the competition came today, I would give my opponents a heck of a challenge. The team I am training with helps me sharpen up ahead of Rio,” said Kemboi, who is also the Tusker ambassador. Tusker are sponsors of Team Kenya.

Kemboi will be teaming up with 2008 Beijing Olympics champion Brimin Kipruto and Conselsus Kipruto, who bagged silver medal at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.

Kemboi is the only athlete to have won four gold medals at the World Championships back-to-back.

He is one of only three athletes who have won both Olympics and World Championships gold for Kenya. Others are Reuben Kosgei and Brimin Kipruto.
According to Jonathan Komen, his coach who also trains 25 young athletes, Kemboi will be the man to watch in Rio.

“He listens to corrections, takes them into consideration and works to improve, always looking for excellence. He also accepts directions from junior athletes which is a good show,” said Komen.

Komen said that Kemboi was disciplined which explained his longevity in a tough industry.

Kemboi’s 3,000m steeplechase personal best of 7:55.76 set at Monaco in 2011 places him sixth fastest of all time.