Kumari Taki claims 1500m gold in Poland
Kumari Taki celebrates with the Kenyan flag after winning men's 1,500m gold during the World Under-20 Championships at Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on July 21, 2016. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |
What you need to know:
- Taki, who won the World Youth 1,500m in July last year in Cali, Colombia before adding the Commonwealth Youth title two months later in Samoa, triumphed in 3 minutes and 48.63 seconds.
- Taki managed to hold off Ethiopia’s Taresa Tolosa and compatriot Anthony Kiptoo’s breathtaking charge
IN BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND
World Youth and Commonwealth Youth 1,500m champion Kumari Taki added yet another medal to his collection on Thursday night when he claimed the men’s 1,500m title at the World Under-20 Championships at Zawisza Stadium, Poland.
Taki, who won the World Youth 1,500m in July last year in Cali, Colombia before adding the Commonwealth Youth title two months later in Samoa, triumphed in 3 minutes and 48.63 seconds.
It was a pulsating finish to the metric mile race for the 17-year-old from Narok, who has battled some nerve problems in his both legs since winning in Samoa.
Taki managed to hold off Ethiopia’s Taresa Tolosa and compatriot Anthony Kiptoo’s breathtaking charge, leaving them to settle for silver and bronze in 3:48.77 and 3:49.00 respectively.
The exploits saw Kenya end Day Three with a total of three medals, two gold and a bronze, after Rogers Kwemoi won men’s 10,000m on the opening day of Tuesday.
“I am happy to win my third major junior title having battled some nerve problem I experienced in both legs in Samoa,” said Taki. “I knew the Ethiopian has a strong kick and I had to do anything including diving to the finishing line to win.”
Taki and Kiptoo had hoped for a fast paced race but the field drugged them back, cruising at 400m in 1:06.70 and 800m in 2:12.99.
“It worked for me either way and I am happy,” said Taki, who dedicated the victory to his parents, Leshao Kool Taki and Nariku. “This gold is for them as a reward for their endearing support.”
From left: Ethiopian Taresa Tolosa (silver) and Kenyans Kumari Taki (gold) and Anthony Kiptoo (bronze) pose for photos after the 1,500m race medals presentation at the World Under-20 Championships at Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on July 21, 2016. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
While Taki turns his focus to next year’s World Championships, Kiptoo, who miscalculated his kick hence losing silver to Tolosa, said he will take a shot at the Africa Junior Championships.
“I should have claimed at least the silver medal if the pace was high,” said Kiptoo, who hails from Kaplamai, Trans Nzoia.
