Farah outwits Kenyans as marathon team capitulates

Farah outwits Kenyans as marathon team capitulates

Kenya had mixed fortunes on the opening day of the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China bagging 2 medals in the men’s 10,000m final but misfiring in the men’s marathon race.

Geoffrey Kamworor won silver while Paul Tanui settled for the bronze as Kenya played second fiddle to Briton Mo Farah who won the gold medal.

The iconic bird’s nest stadium in the heart of Beijing set the perfect backdrop for the Men’s Marathon final, the first gold event at the world athletics championships.

Kenya had a stellar line up led by current world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto , former record holder Wilson Kipsang and Paris Marathon champion Mark Korir. These three would battle it out against defending world champion Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich and other star athletes from around the world.

On paper these were the best marathon athletes in the world but the result at the end of the 42km race proved otherwise as both Kimetto and Kipsang uncharacteristically failed to finish the race.

The plaudits however went to 19 year old Eritrean Ghibray Gebhreselassie who timed his race to perfection to bag gold and open a new chapter in his career. Yemane Tsegay from Ethiopia was second while Ugandan Solomon Munyo Mutai bagged the bronze.

Kenyan athletes were the notable absentees in the podium as the only Kenyan to finish the brutal marathon was Mark Korir in position 22.

After the horror show in the Marathon race, the Kenyan trio in the men’s 10,000m final had their work cut out as they bore the unenviable responsibility to salvage some pride.

Geoffrey Kamworor, the world half marathon champion, Paul tanui the 2013 bronze medalist and Bedan Karoki led the Kenyan assault against defending champion Mo Farah.

Once the race started it was clear the strategy was to upset the Briton as Karoki, Tanui and Kamworor exchanged the lead with Mo Farah and his training partner American Galen Rupp lurking in the fringes.

Farah took the lead 3 times during the race but Kamworor regained the advantage each time.

However, the Briton who won the title in 2013 in Russia made his decisive move with less than 2 laps to go. Kamworor did his level best but Farah had more gas in the tank to retain his title.

Kamworor settled for silver as Paul Tanui crossed the finish line 3rd to take bronze.

Tags:

kenya china Geoffrey Kamworor Paul Tanui Mo Farah World Athletics Championships Beijing

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories