Kemboi, Chelimo harvest gold
Kenya's gold medallist David Rudisha bites his medal on the podium during the victory ceremony for the men's 800 metres athletics event at the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing on August 26, 2015. Kenyan athletes on September 14, 2015 won two gold medals at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville. FILE AFP PHOTO | GREG BAKER
What you need to know:
- Clement Kemboi led Kenya to a 1-2 finish in men’s 3,000m steeplechase to reaffirm Kenya’s supremacy in the water and barriers race.
- Then Margaret Chelimo put the icing on the cake for Kenya, leading compatriots Rosemary Wanjiru and Alice Aprot to a clean sweep in women’s 5,000m race.
- Wanjiru took silver in 15:30.18 and Aprot bronze in 15:52.70 Secs.Ethiopian Gebresla was fourth in 15:42.44 secs, followed by Yalew in 15:43.77. Tesfaye was fifth in 15:52.70.
Kenyan athletes on Monday won two gold medals at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville.
Clement Kemboi led Kenya to a 1-2 finish in men’s 3,000m steeplechase to reaffirm Kenya’s supremacy in the water and barriers race.
Then Margaret Chelimo put the icing on the cake for Kenya, leading compatriots Rosemary Wanjiru and Alice Aprot to a clean sweep in women’s 5,000m race.
In the absence of experienced Abel Mutai who fell sick on the day on the race, little-known Kemboi took over the responsibility of delivering the gold medal and he did exactly that, giving the country her first gold medal at the championships by winning 3000m steeplechase in 8min,20.31 secs, with Hillary Kemboi second in 8:22.96. Ethiopians Amare Hailemaryam (8:24.19) and Wegene Sebesibe (8:26.62) were third and fourth respectively.
“We had prepared well for this race. We knew we had the responsibility to defend the title in the absence of Ezekiel Kemboi who won it in Maputo,” Clement Kemboi said.
Women’s 5000m race saw Ethiopians Gotytom Gebresla, Geret Yalew and Habetameneh Tesfaye engage Kenyans in a tricky race, keeping pace with the leading Kenyan Rosemary Wanjiru while Chelimo and Alice Aprot stayed behind.
At the start of the final two laps, Wanjiru took over the lead, followed by Chelimo and Aprot.Chelimo, who looked stronger, beat Wanjiru in a photo finish to take gold in 15min,30.82secs.
Wanjiru took silver in 15:30.18 and Aprot bronze in 15:52.70 Secs.Ethiopian Gebresla was fourth in 15:42.44 secs, followed by Yalew in 15:43.77. Tesfaye was fifth in 15:52.70.
Eunice Kadogo had earlier put a smile in the face of Kenyans here after she qualified for the finals of women’s 100m race in 11.58 secs. She finished second in her heat won by Cote d’Ivoire’s Marie Josen Talou (11.07).Winnie Chebet will also be in the women’s 800m finals after finishing second in 2:03.81 secs.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s men and women’s handball teams performed poorly at the games, losing all their matches to exit the championships.
