Karoki: I felt dizzy as we came to finish in Cardiff

Karoki: I felt dizzy as we came to finish in Cardiff

The 2016 IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships silver medallist, Bedan Karoki Muchiri blames cold weather and heavy rains at the Welsh capital for knocking the stuffing at the tail end of the race.

Karoki went to Cardiff unbeaten over the half marathon but for second successive year at an international event, he was forced to accept the second medal by Geoffrey Kamworor (59:10) after arriving 26 seconds in arrears.

Speaking to Citizen Digital after returning to the country, the 2015 Guiyang World Cross silver medallist says he is happy with his performance after the Kenyans mowed British Olympics and world distance track champion and home favourite, Mo Farah.

“In the last three kilometres the cold weather affected me but what hurt me most was the heavy rain that fell over the last mile to the finish. I felt weak and my body did not have the energy for a strong finish.

“Actually I had started feeling dizzy towards the end of the race.  When I looked behind and noticed that we had created a big gap that was no one would cover up, I did not push much as I did not have the energy required.

“Considering my body felt weak, I worked towards finishing and maintaining my position,” he narrated.

“We are used to Mo been a stiff competitor in the long distance race but this time round I was happy that we managed to take him down,” he added in reference to the Somali-born athlete who denied them 10,000m gold at last year’s IAAF World Championships where Karoki finished fourth as Kamworor took silver.

The Japan based star is still hopeful of winning gold in Rio 2016 this summer as he prepares to make his full marathon debut in London next month.

“Everyone has his day to win and I will work hard to see I win at the Olympics he asserted. I think it will be my last ever track race as I’m looking forward to the marathon in the winter season,” Karoki declared.

Report by Paul Kimani

Tags:

olympics London Marathon Mo Farah Bedan Karoki Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor Rio 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships

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